South Carolina Work Zone Laws

How South Carolina handles work zones

South Carolina replaced its old work-zone speeding penalty in 2017; that rule was just a $75-to-$200 misdemeanor. The teeth are now in 'endangerment of a highway worker': with workers present, driving out of the designated lane or ignoring the traffic-control devices is a $500 to $1,000 fine and 2 license points, 4 if a worker is hurt (S.C. Code §56-5-1535). Plain speeding in the zone stays a regular ticket. The 2025 hands-free law covers the zone; obey a flagger's flag (§56-5-950).

Speed, fines, phone, and the flagger

• Speed rule: Obey the posted reduced limit through the marked zone. There is no work-zone speed doubling. With workers present, driving out of the designated lane or ignoring the devices becomes 'endangerment of a highway worker.'
• Fine multiplier: No multiplier. South Carolina's pre-2017 work-zone speeding fine (a $75-$200 misdemeanor) was repealed. With workers present, ignoring lane controls or traffic-control devices is 'endangerment of a highway worker,' $500 to $1,000 and 2 to 4 license points (S.C. Code §56-5-1535). Plain speeding stays a normal ticket.
• Phone in a work zone: Restricted — put it down
• Flagger authority: Follow a flagger's flag or sign through the zone (S.C. Code §56-5-950). With workers present, disobeying the traffic-control devices is endangerment of a highway worker (§56-5-1535).
• Base fine: Standard speeding fine for work-zone speed; $500 to $1,000 plus 2 to 4 license points for 'endangerment of a highway worker' when workers are present (S.C. Code §56-5-1535).

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