This is a strange one for sure where a choice is given of foregoing a 200 dollar speeding ticket with points for the alternative 300 dollar fine for careless operation and no points! The option is given on the ticket. I'm in Canada where all you can do is plead not guilty. As you scroll down the page you'll see a variety of links attached...try some of them if they seem like they might help! Peace.

Try this page of links >>>http://www.bing.com/search?q=South+Carolina%27s++Careless+Operation+ticket%2F+driving+laws&go=&qs=n&form=QBRE&pq=south+carolina%27s+careless+operation+ticket%2F+driving+laws&sc=0-0&sp=-1&sk=

There is no reference to Careless Operation in South Carolina's Code of Laws at least online. The main issue at hand is I was not speeding. I was being pulled over for an out tail light. I merged from the right lane to the left lane, than began to merge to a parking lot across the street. I noticed an oncoming car and straightened out. I did not cross the yellow line nor did the other car react in any way. The officer said the citation was for almost causing an accident.

A BILL

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 56-5-1940 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER HAS THE DISCRETION TO CHARGE A PERSON WITH CARELESS OPERATION OF A VEHICLE AS DEFINED BY LOCAL ORDINANCE IN LIEU OF DRIVING TOO FAST FOR CONDITIONS OR SPEEDING; AND TO AMEND SECTION 56-1-720, RELATING TO THE POINT SYSTEM FOR THE EVALUATION OF A PERSON'S DRIVING RECORD, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT CARELESS OPERATION IS A ZERO POINT VIOLATION.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. The 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 56-5-1940. A law enforcement officer has the discretion to charge a person with careless operation of a vehicle as defined by local ordinance in lieu of driving too fast for conditions or speeding."
SECTION 2. Section 56-1-720 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding at the end:
"Careless operation (as defined by local ordinance) 0"


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