SC to enforce tougher penalties for failing to stop for blue lights soon. Here’s what to know
South Carolina drivers who ignore flashing blue lights or a police siren will soon face significantly stricter penalties under new driving law changes taking effect on May 12.
The measure, signed into law by Gov. Henry McMaster in May 2025, amends Section 56-5-750 of the state code, which governs failure to stop for law enforcement vehicles.
These changes toughen penalties for drivers who fail to stop for blue lights and add a new felony charge for certain violations.
What does the existing law say?
Under the statute, it is unlawful for a driver to fail to stop when signaled by a law enforcement vehicle using a siren, flashing light, or both. This has been state law since 1962.
In addition, attempting to speed away or otherwise evade an officer after being signaled is considered “prima facie evidence” of a violation, meaning that claiming not to have seen flashing lights or heard a siren is not a valid defense when road and distance conditions would have made signals reasonably apparent.
What’s changing?
The amendments to the law increase penalties in several key areas:
- First offense with no great bodily injury or death: Remains a misdemeanor punishable by a minimum $500 fine or up to three years in prison. The driver’s license will be suspended for at least 30 days. This change removes the prior 90-day mandatory minimum jail sentence.
- Second or subsequent offense with no great bodily injury or death: Remains a felony but is now punishable by up to 10 years in prison, an increase from the previous five-year maximum. A one-year driver’s license suspension is mandatory.
- If great bodily injury results: The maximum prison sentence increases from 10 years to 15 years.
- If death results: The maximum sentence increases from 25 years to 30 years in prison.
One of the most notable changes to take effect this May is the new separate felony charge for high-speed pursuits.
A high-speed pursuit is defined as increasing speed or taking evasive action to avoid a pursuing law enforcement vehicle after lights or sirens are activated. Conviction carries up to 10 years in prison and a one-year license suspension.
What to know about SC driving laws
Failure to stop for law enforcement — often referred to as “blue light” violations — has long been a criminal offense in the state.
The changes to this act take effect one year after the governor’s approval, meaning the tougher penalties will apply beginning May 12, 2026.
Some other driving laws in the Palmetto State to keep in mind when behind the wheel include:
