new south carolina law lets utvs drive public roadsOwners of utility task vehicles across South Carolina will soon be permitted to operate them on public roads, thanks to a new law that takes effect Nov. 18. These vehicles, a favorite among farmers, hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts, have long occupied an uncertain legal position, with no clear guidance on where they were allowed to travel. Under the new rules, drivers will need to register their machines and satisfy several requirements before leaving private property.Until the measure becomes active, the Department of Motor Vehicles is advising owners to keep the vehicles on their own land. "Our priority is the safety of all South Carolinians, whether they will be riding in a UTV on a public road or in a passenger vehicle next to a UTV," DMV director Kevin Shwedo said in a statement.What the Law RequiresUnder the law, which was approved in May, registration comes with a license plate, costs $10 and remains valid for two years. To be eligible for public roads, a UTV must have four wheels, a top speed exceeding 55 miles per hour and a width no greater than 80 inches. The machines must also include car-style equipment such as seatbelts, headlights, brake lights, taillights and turn signals.Operators are required to be at least 17 years old and to hold a valid driver's license. A UTV may not carry a passenger who is 8 or younger while on a public road, and every occupant under age 21 must wear a helmet fitted with a face shield. Drivers are also obligated to carry insurance.Where UTVs Can and Cannot GoThe law places clear boundaries on where the vehicles may be driven. UTVs are barred from roads with a posted speed limit higher than 55 miles per hour and are prohibited on all interstates. Additionally, drivers may not travel more than 10 miles from the address where the vehicle is registered. Local governments, both cities and counties, retain the ability to impose further restrictions on when and where the vehicles may operate.Lawmakers said the framework was modeled on existing rules for golf carts and all-terrain vehicles on public streets. Similar to ATVs, UTVs are usually enclosed and equipped with a steering wheel rather than handlebars.Why Lawmakers Acted"We do have a lot of different vehicles that are allowed to be on our roads, from bicycles to mopeds to motorcycles to cars and trucks," said Sen. Russell Ott, who sponsored the bill. "This is just another one that essentially has evolved over time."Ott, a Democrat from rural St. Matthews, said he has noticed more UTVs on the road since he began pushing to legalize them six years ago. Sen. Chip Campsen, an Isle of Palms Republican who owns a UTV, told fellow senators that residents in rural regions rely on the vehicles to maintain large tracts of land. "When I'm burning timber, when I'm planting food plots, sometimes I don't have any option but to get out on the road and come back in," he said.Clearing Up the ConfusionUncertainty was a driving force behind the legislation. Many drivers assumed they could register a UTV in another state and then legally use it in South Carolina. According to World Population Review, the vehicles are legal in some form in 33 other states. Meanwhile, others assumed the machines were completely banned from public roads, a confusion shared by law enforcement, said Sen. Greg Hembree, who chairs the transportation committee.With no statutes specifically covering the vehicles, both drivers and police were left guessing about the law. "They're kind of in no man's land," said Hembree, a Little River Republican. He cautioned that the absence of clear rules created problems in the event of a crash. If an uninsured UTV driver struck a car, the injured party might have no way to recover damages.Safety DebateSome legislators voiced concerns about placing smaller, slower vehicles alongside cars and trucks. The bill cleared the Senate by a 26-18 vote and the House 109-3. The Department of Public Safety records car crashes but does not disclose the types of vehicles involved. By comparison, golf carts, which travel more slowly, are estimated to cause nearly 4,000 injuries nationwide each year, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics."I've seen so many times where a vehicle would pop over a hill and not see" a slower-moving vehicle, said a Prosperity Republican who opposed the measure. Ott countered that the restrictions on how and when the vehicles may be used are designed to reduce such risks. "A lot of people are using these and enjoying them," he said. "There's nothing wrong with that, and we just need to try to put some safeguards and rules and regulations around it."
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