7/31/01 - In June, the state legislature passed a concurrent resolution (S424) that calls for signs that read "No Trucks 3 Axles or More Left Lane Except to Pass." The signs will be placed along both sides of Interstate 26 between mile marker 199 in Berkeley County and its interchange with US-17.

A House bill that would have increased fines and penalties for speeding truckdrivers never made it through the Senate. The Senate Judiciary Committee sent the bill back to a subcommittee on an 8-7 vote after some senators complained the law solely targeted truckers. HB3146 would have tacked on an additional $35 in fines for truckers convicted of first-offense driving 10 mph or less over the speed limit. Fines would have increased with subsequent convictions, capped at $300 or 30 days in jail with a six-month license suspension. The legislative session ended in early June.

4/24/01 - A bill that would raise some speeding fines for truckdrivers only has passed the House and is on to the Senate. Bill sponsors say the legislation will target "reckless" truckers. HB3146, introduced by Rep. Joel Lourie, proposes fines on speeding truckers ranging from $20 up to $300, the amount dictated by the severity of the violation. These fines would be in addition to other fines. OOIDA has told lawmakers they should be levied on all drivers, not just truckers. Truckers driving more than 20 mph over the speed limit could have their commercial licenses suspended for six months if the bill becomes law.
Another interesting bill (HB3102) would prohibit law enforcement officers from enticing the driver of another vehicle to speed, and then citing the driver for the violation.
The bill status number for the South Carolina Legislature is (803) 212-6720.

3/9/01 - A South Carolina bill that would raise some speeding fines for truckdrivers if it becomes law has passed the House and is on to the Senate. The bill is intended to target "reckless" truckers.
HB3146, introduced in the South Carolina Legislature by Rep. Joel Lourie of Columbia, proposes fines on speeding truckers ranging from $20 up to $300, the amount dictated by the severity of the violation. These fines would be in effect only where the posted speed limits are 55 mph or greater. Truckers driving more than 20 mph over the speed limit could have their commercial licenses suspended for six months if the bill becomes law.
Truckdriver and OOIDA board member Irby Gillespie, of Piedmont, told Land Line that he questions why the SC legislature would only pass higher fines onto truckers. "The legislation needs to be across the board for everyone, cars and trucks," he said. "If the issue is truly safety and not revenue, why shouldn't the fines be across the board."
Rick Todd, president of the South Carolina Trucking Association, said the bill is intended to rid the highway of "bad apples." In a previously released statement, Todd said "we support higher fines for excessive speeding across the board, both cars and trucks, but if the Legislature won't support that then we will support a higher standard for commercial vehicle drivers."
Rep. Scott Talley of Spartanburg, a co-sponsor of the bill, told news reporters it is part of an effort to make the state's highways safer. But Rep. G. Ralph Davenport Jr., also of Spartanburg, thinks the bill is an attempt to go after a select group of people. "I think it's an overkill thing," Davenport said.
The bill has been referred to the Committee on Judiciary. The general information number for the South Carolina Senate is (803) 212-6200.

2/12/01 - HB3146, introduced in the South Carolina Legislature by Rep. Joel Lourie of Columbia, will raise some speeding fines for truckers if it becomes law. The bill proposes fines ranging from $20 up to $300, the amount dictated by the severity of the violation. These fines would be in effect only where the posted speed limits are 55 mph or greater.
Another interesting bill (HB3102), introduced by Rep. J. Gary Simrill of Rock Hill, would prohibit law enforcement officers from enticing the driver of another vehicle to speed, and then citing the driver for the violation.
The general information number for the South Carolina Legislature is (803)734-2010.