{"id":13722,"date":"2022-01-11T09:28:11","date_gmt":"2022-01-11T14:28:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sinklaw.com\/?p=13722"},"modified":"2024-05-08T00:01:21","modified_gmt":"2024-05-08T04:01:21","slug":"weird-laws-in-sc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sinklaw.com\/blog\/weird-laws-in-sc\/","title":{"rendered":"Weird Laws in South Carolina"},"content":{"rendered":"

South Carolina has some weird laws. Most laws are critical to the proper functioning of society. By curbing dangerous behaviors, laws encourage everyone to act in ways that keep themselves and those around them safe. From mundane laws that establish speed limits to strict laws against drug possession and murder, most laws benefit people.<\/p>\n

Whether laws are leftover from another era or are just plain odd, strange ones linger unless someone takes the time and effort to remove them from the legal code.<\/p>\n

Frances Willard Day<\/h2>\n

According to the Frances Willard House Museum and Archives<\/a>, Frances Willard was a social reformer who led the Woman\u2019s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) in America and founded the World Woman\u2019s Christian Temperance Union.<\/p>\n

She advocated for temperance in alcohol consumption and promoted women\u2019s rights, social justice, and world peace. Although Willard died in 1898, her legacy continues through the WCTU, which is still an active political organization.<\/p>\n

While Willard never lived in South Carolina, the state honors her by celebrating Frances Willard Day. According to S.C. Ann. 53-320<\/a>, the fourth Friday in October is set aside for this special day, and each public school must prepare and render a suitable program on that day to teach children the evils of intemperance.<\/p>\n

The Left Lane Is For Passing Only<\/h2>\n

S.C. Ann. \u00a7 56-5-1810<\/a> states that drivers must stay in the right-hand lane unless they are overtaking and passing another vehicle; in other words, the left lane is for passing, not cruising. While most people know that from driver\u2019s ed, they may not realize that it is actually against the law in South Carolina to cruise in the left lane.<\/p>\n

While it may seem silly to outlaw hanging out in the left lane, it\u2019s not entirely a joke. We\u2019ve all been stuck behind someone cruising slowly in the left lane and know how it can lead to traffic jams and accidents. Keeping the passing lane open for passing and people turning left keeps traffic flowing smoothly. This makes the roads safer for all drivers.<\/p>\n

Not Just Anyone Can Ride in the Open Bed of a Pickup Truck<\/h2>\n

In South Carolina, children aged 15 and under cannot ride in the open bed of a pickup truck – most of the time, that is. S.C. Ann. \u00a7 56-5-3900<\/a> allows children to ride in an open bed as long as an adult is present, or if:<\/p>\n