All Roll Calls
Yes: 257 • No: 0
South CarolinaH 4249126th General Assembly (2025-2026)HouseWALLET
AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY AMENDING SECTION 56-5-1538, RELATING TO THE DEFINITIONS OF EMERGENCY SCENE MANAGEMENT, SO AS TO MAKE TECHNICAL CHANGES, PROVIDE DRIVERS SHALL ENSURE THEIR VEHICLES ARE KEPT UNDER CONTROL WHEN APPROACHING OR PASSING OTHER MOTOR VEHICLES STOPPED ON OR NEAR THE RIGHTS OF WAY OF STREETS OR HIGHWAYS, TO PROVIDE PERSONS DRIVING VEHICLES APPROACHING OTHER STATIONARY VEHICLES DISPLAYING FLASHING HAZARD LIGHTS SHALL REDUCE THEIR SPEED, YIELD THE RIGHT OF WAY, AND MAINTAIN SAFE SPEEDS WHEN CHANGING LANES IS UNSAFE, AND TO PROVIDE PENALTIES.
Sponsored By: Shannon S. Erickson (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Summary
Emergency Scene Management
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Who runs an emergency scene
Beginning May 15, 2026, the first responder on scene is in charge until fire or police with jurisdiction arrive. EMS manages patient care and prevents further injury. Trained paid and volunteer workers may control the scene within their training. The law also defines who counts as emergency personnel and which vehicles are authorized emergency vehicles, including ambulances, police, fire, rescue, recovery, and towing vehicles.
Drivers must slow, move over, or pay
Beginning May 15, 2026, you must keep control of your vehicle when you near an emergency scene or a stopped vehicle with flashing lights. You must proceed with caution and significantly reduce speed. On roads with at least four lanes, you must move to a lane not next to the stopped vehicle when it is safe. If you cannot change lanes, you must keep a safe, slow speed for the road. Breaking these rules is a misdemeanor, with a $300–$500 fine upon conviction.
Do not block emergency scenes
Beginning May 15, 2026, motorists and bystanders must not block access to or exit from an emergency scene. You must obey responders and not interfere with their work. Keep routes clear so emergency and support vehicles can get in and out.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Shannon S. Erickson
Republican • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/29/2026
(Emergency Scene Management)2nd Reading
Yes: 43 • No: 0
House vote • 4/29/2025
(Emergency Scene Management)Passage of Bill
Yes: 107 • No: 0
House vote • 4/29/2025
(Emergency Scene Management)Passage of Bill
Yes: 107 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Act No. 147
5/26/2026legislatureEffective date 05/15/26
5/26/2026legislatureSigned By Governor
5/15/2026GovernorRatified R 193
5/14/2026legislatureRead third time and enrolled
4/30/2026SenateRoll call Ayes-43 Nays-0
4/29/2026SenateRead second time
4/29/2026SenateCommittee report: Favorable Transportation
4/15/2026SenateReferred to Committee on Transportation
4/30/2025SenateIntroduced and read first time
4/30/2025SenateRead third time and sent to Senate
4/30/2025HouseRoll call Yeas-107 Nays-0
4/29/2025HouseRead second time
4/29/2025HouseCommittee report: Favorable Education and Public Works
4/24/2025HouseReferred to Committee on Education and Public Works
3/27/2025HouseIntroduced and read first time
3/27/2025House
Bill Text
Introduced
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