As hundreds of thousands of newcomers continue to flock to South Carolina from places like California, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington, the Palmetto State is increasingly adopting West Coast policies and laws.
Governor Henry McMaster has just signed the latest one – the new “Stop As Yield” law – making South Carolina the first state on the East Coast to fully implement the unique bicycle safety policy.
Under the law, cyclists can now treat stop signs as yield signs when it is safe to proceed. Riders no longer have to come to a complete stop at every stop sign if no traffic is present and the intersection is clear.
The new law specifically reads:
“(6)(a) If a cyclist approaches an intersection that is controlled by a traffic-control device, then the cyclist may proceed with caution through the intersection on a steady red light only if the cyclist:
(i) makes a complete stop at the steady red traffic-control light before entering the intersection; and
(ii) yields the right of way to all oncoming traffic that constitutes an immediate hazard during the time that the cyclist is moving across or within the intersection.
(b) A cyclist may make a:
(i) right turn at a steady red traffic-control light without stopping after slowing to a reasonable speed and yielding the right of way to oncoming traffic that constitutes an immediate hazard; or
(ii) left turn onto a one-way road at a steady red traffic-control light after stopping and yielding the right of way to oncoming traffic that constitutes an immediate hazard.”
The law does not give cyclists unlimited freedom at intersections. Riders must continue yielding to pedestrians, vehicles, and anyone else with the right of way. Reckless riding and entering intersections without checking for traffic remain illegal.
South Carolina has now become the first state east of the Mississippi to fully embrace the approach, marking another notable change in one of the nation’s fastest-growing states.
