2022 South Carolina Code of Laws
Title 56 - Motor Vehicles
Chapter 5 - Uniform Act Regulating Traffic On Highways
Section 56-5-4860. Performance ability of brakes; tests for deceleration and stopping distances.
Every motor vehicle and combination of vehicles, at all times and under all conditions of loading, upon application of the service brake, shall be capable of:
(a) Developing a braking force that is not less than the percentage of its gross weight tabulated herein for its classification,
(b) Decelerating to a stop from not more than twenty miles per hour at not less than the feet per second tabulated herein for its classification, and
(c) Stopping from a speed of twenty miles per hour in not more than the distance tabulated herein for its classification, such distance to be measured from the point at which movement of the service brake pedal or controls begins.
Tests for deceleration and stopping distance shall be made on a substantially level (not to exceed plus or minus one per cent grade), dry, smooth, hard surface that is free from loose material.
Classification
of Vehicles Braking force at a percentage of gross vehicle or combination weight Deceleration in feet
per second Brake System application and braking distance in feet from an initial speed of 20 m.p.h. (A) Passenger vehicles with a seating capacity of ten people or less including driver, not having a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating 52.8% 17 25 (B-1) All motorcycles and motor-driven cycles 43.5% 14 30 (B-2) Single unit vehicles with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less 43.5% 14 30 (C-1) Single unit vehicles with a manufacturer's gross weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds 43.5% 14 40 (C-2) Combination of a two-axle towing vehicle and a trailer with a gross trailer weight of 3,000 pounds or less 43.5% 14 40 (C-3) Buses, regardless of the number of axles, not having a manufacturer's gross weight rating 43.5% 14 40 (C-4) All combinations of vehicles in driveaway-towaway operations 43.5% 14 40 (D) All other vehicles and combinations of vehicles 43.5% 14 50
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 46-562; 1952 Code Section 46-562; 1949 (46) 466; 1964 (53) 2127.
