Staying In Your Lane
S.C. Code 56-5-1900 — as nearly as practicable within one lane, and no move until it is safe
One lane at a time. On a roadway divided into two or more clearly marked lanes, a vehicle is driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane, and is not moved from it until the driver has first made sure the move can be made with safety.
On a three lane road with two way traffic, the center lane is used only to pass when it is clear for a safe distance, to prepare for a left turn, or where devices assign it to the driver's direction. Devices may direct traffic to a lane or prohibit changing lanes, and drivers obey them.
On roadways of sufficient width a vehicle is driven on the right half, apart from passing, an obstruction, a three lane road and a one way road. A vehicle going slower than the normal speed of traffic keeps to the right hand lane or as close as practicable to the right edge, except to pass or to prepare for a left turn. On a road of four or more lanes with two way traffic, nobody drives left of the center line except as devices allow or around an obstruction.
A driver may not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for speed, traffic and the condition of the highway. Passing rules, no passing zones and the left lane on a multilane highway have sections of their own. Whether a particular movement was unsafe is a question for a licensed South Carolina attorney.
Sources for this section (3)
- S.C. Code 56-5-1900 — Driving on roadways laned for traffic
- S.C. Code 56-5-1810 — Drive on the right side of roadways; exceptions
- S.C. Code 56-5-1930 — Following too closely
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed South Carolina attorney.