Do SC highway construction speed limits apply if there are no workers there? What the law says
If you think you can zip right through a highway work zone if workers aren’t present, think again.
South Carolina law states that the rules apply all the time.
That’s because there are still hazards such as lane changes, narrowed lanes and rough pavement.
If you don’t comply and a highway patrolman sees you then you can still face fines and points on your license. The fine for speeding through a work zone is $75 to $200 or 30 days in jail. Or both, state law says.
If workers are present and endangered, even if not injured, the fines are $500 to $1,000. That would be in addition to other charges that may be brought, such as driving under the influence or reckless driving.
In the United States, about 40,000 people a year are injured in vehicle accidents in work zones and about 1,000 people die.
In South Carolina, transportation incidents resulted in 51 fatal injuries and accounted for 39% of all fatal workplace injuries in the state in 2022, the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics report shows.
Worker deaths from transportation incidents were up from 49 in the previous year.
The South Carolina Department of Transportation offers these tips, no matter whether workers are present:
Reduce speed, increase following distance and be prepared to stop.
Adjust your lane position to allow space for workers and construction vehicles.
Observe the posted work zone signs until you see “End Road Work.”
Expect delays, plan for them, and leave earlier to reach your destination.
When possible, use alternate routes and avoid work zones.
