Greenville’s scenic roads, vibrant neighborhoods, and thriving downtown make it one of the most traveled areas in South Carolina. But with more vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians sharing the streets, understanding Greenville road safety rules is more important than ever.

Whether you’re commuting through Main Street, biking along the Swamp Rabbit Trail, or crossing the street downtown, following South Carolina’s traffic laws helps prevent accidents. When violations occur, knowing your legal options can make all the difference.

This guide outlines the most important road safety rules in Greenville, SC, highlights responsibilities for different types of road users, and explains what to do if someone’s negligence causes harm.

General Road Safety Rules for Drivers in Greenville

South Carolina law requires drivers to operate vehicles with care and attention. Here are key rules to follow:

1. Speed Limits

  • Urban areas: Typically 30–35 mph unless otherwise posted
  • Rural highways: Up to 55 mph
  • Interstates near Greenville: 60–70 mph depending on the area

Always obey posted speed limits, especially in school zones and construction zones where fines increase significantly.

2. Distracted Driving

It is illegal in South Carolina to:

  • Text while driving
  • Email, browse the web, or access apps behind the wheel

Hands-free calling is permitted, but drivers may still be cited if phone use contributes to unsafe driving.

3. Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

  • Legal BAC limit: 0.08% for adults
  • Zero-tolerance: BAC of 0.02% for drivers under 21
  • Commercial drivers: BAC limit of 0.04%

DUI offenses can result in fines, license suspension, jail time, and long-term consequences. Victims of drunk driving collisions may be entitled to compensation.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Rules

Greenville is a walkable and bike-friendly city, and both pedestrians and cyclists have legal protections on the road.

Pedestrian Right-of-Way

According to South Carolina Code §56-5-3130:

  • Vehicles must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, whether marked or unmarked
  • Pedestrians must follow traffic signals and avoid entering the street suddenly

Many pedestrian accidents occur due to drivers failing to yield, especially in downtown Greenville.

Bicycle Safety Requirements

  • Cyclists must ride in the same direction as traffic
  • Use of bike lanes is mandatory when available
  • Cyclists must obey all traffic lights and signs
  • Hand signals must be used when turning
  • Motorists must give at least 3 feet of clearance when passing a bicycle

Although not required by law, helmet use is strongly encouraged.

School Zones, Buses, and Commercial Vehicles

South Carolina places extra emphasis on protecting children and public transportation users. The following rules apply:

School Buses

  • All vehicles must stop when a school bus displays flashing red lights and extends the stop arm
  • Traffic on the opposite side of a divided highway with a median is exempt from stopping

Violators can face fines, license points, and liability in the event of injury.

Commercial Vehicle Rules

Title 56 of the South Carolina Code of Laws applies to vehicles operating on state roads and includes a number of provisions, such as:

  • S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-3230 (failing to use due care): Drivers must exercise due care to avoid colliding with another driver or pedestrian. They should be especially careful around children and people who seem confused, disabled, or drunk.
  • S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-1930 (following too closely): Drivers must maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of them. This safe distance depends on how fast they’re going, how much traffic there is, and the road/weather conditions.
  • S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2920 (driving in reckless disregard for the safety of others): Driving with a blatant disregard for others’ safety includes both intentional and reckless actions.
  • S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-1810 (crossing the center line into oncoming traffic): Generally, one should drive on the right side of the road. However, there are exceptions, such as: moving left to pass a slower vehicle or avoid an obstacle, or driving in designated lanes on divided highways with multiple lanes.
  • S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-1900 (failure to maintain lane): Stay in your lane as much as possible and only change lanes when it’s safe to do so.
  • S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-950 (failure to obey traffic signal): Traffic signs and signals are presumed to be legally placed, which means drivers must obey them (barring limited exceptions such as for emergency vehicles).
  • S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2320 (failure to yield when turning left): When turning left at an intersection, into an alley, or onto a private road/driveway, you must yield to a vehicle coming from the opposite direction that’s already in or very close to the intersection
  • S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-3130 (failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk): Drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks, by slowing down or stopping to let them cross safely.
  • S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2930 (driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs): It is unlawful for anyone to drive under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs (including prescription drugs) that impairs one’s ability to drive safely.
  • S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-1220 and 1230 (hit and run): After an accident, a driver must stop their vehicle as close to the accident scene as possible, and help the injured person by calling an ambulance or transporting them to a nearby hospital.
  • Drivers must follow federal hours-of-service regulations to avoid fatigue

Moped and Motorcycle Road Safety

Greenville has seen increased moped and motorcycle use. These vehicles require special considerations under the law.

Moped Rules

  • Riders under age 21 must wear a helmet and eye protection
  • Mopeds cannot travel over 25 mph
  • They are not allowed on interstate highways
  • Operators must have a valid Class D, G, or M license

Motorcycle Regulations

  • Lane splitting is not permitted in South Carolina
  • Passengers must have their own seat and footrests
  • Helmets are required for riders under 21, though highly recommended for all

Understanding and following these rules can significantly reduce injury risk.

Greenville’s Local Road Safety Initiatives

The City of Greenville has implemented several programs to reduce traffic accidents and enhance pedestrian safety:

  • “Slow Down Greenville” campaigns to discourage speeding in residential areas
  • Installation of improved crosswalk signals and pedestrian lighting
  • Expansion of protected bike lanes along high-traffic routes like Laurens Road

Drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians should stay up-to-date on changing traffic patterns and signage.

Violating road safety rules often results in more than just traffic tickets. It can lead to serious accidents, injuries, or fatalities. Common violations in personal injury claims include:

  • Failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks
  • Running red lights or stop signs
  • Speeding in high-risk areas
  • Driving under the influence
  • Distracted driving
  • Unsafe passing of cyclists or motorcyclists

If you were injured because someone broke these rules, you may be entitled to compensation for:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost income
  • Pain and suffering
  • Rehabilitation costs
  • Vehicle damage

How a Greenville Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help

When someone else’s negligence causes you harm, a personal injury lawyer can guide you through every step of your recovery.

At Ted Law Firm, our attorneys:

  • Investigate whether traffic laws were violated
  • Obtain accident reports, dashcam footage, and witness statements
  • Coordinate with medical providers to document your injuries
  • Handle negotiations with the insurance company
  • File lawsuits when necessary to pursue full compensation

We handle complex cases involving:

  • Pedestrian accidents
  • Bicycle and moped crashes
  • DUI-related injuries
  • Commercial truck collisions
  • Uninsured or underinsured drivers

Schedule a Free Consultation Today

At Ted Law Firm, we proudly serve clients across all of South Carolina and Georgia including Charleston, Greenville, Columbia, Myrtle Beach, and Atlanta. No matter where you are in either state, we’re here to help. And remember: you don’t pay a dime unless we win your case. There’s no risk just experienced support from a team you can trust. You’re in good hands with Ted Law Firm.

Attorney | Founder at  | Website |  + posts

Attorney Ted Sink, founder of The Ted Law Firm, is a Yale, Stanford Business School, and Charleston School of Law graduate and former marketing executive who built a 7-figure law practice, earning millions for his clients. With experience in both law and advertising, Ted has been recognized in Forbes, Entrepreneur, and the ABA Journal. He speaks at industry conferences on marketing and law firm management, sharing insights from his unique background to help other firms grow. When not working, Ted enjoys traveling, diving, and dog-sitting golden retrievers.

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