Is Jaywalking Illegal in South Carolina? Rules and Penalties (2026)

In South Carolina, crossing outside a crosswalk is allowed only if you yield, and a few kinds of crossing are barred outright. Under S.C. Code 56-5-3150, a pedestrian crossing anywhere other than a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection must yield the right-of-way to all vehicles; between adjacent intersections with operating traffic-control signals, pedestrians may cross only in a marked crosswalk; and diagonal crossing of an intersection is barred unless traffic-control devices authorize it. Cities and counties may by ordinance bar crossing outside a crosswalk in a business district or on designated highways (56-5-3120). The pedestrian sections set no fine of their own, so the general penalty in S.C. Code 56-5-6190 applies: a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $100 or imprisonment for not more than 30 days. On top of any fine, a person who is convicted of, pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, or forfeits bond for an offense tried in magistrates court or municipal court must also pay an amount equal to 107.5 percent of the fine imposed as an assessment, based on the portion of the fine that is not suspended, and assessments must not be waived, reduced, or suspended (S.C. Code 14-1-207(A), 14-1-208(A)). To compare other states, see our guide to jaywalking laws by state.

Information last verified on 2026-10-10. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.

Jurisdiction scope: This article covers South Carolina state law in S.C. Code Title 56, Chapter 5 (the Uniform Act Regulating Traffic on Highways): the pedestrian sections 56-5-3110 to 56-5-3280; the signal sections 56-5-970 and 56-5-990; the definitions in 56-5-390 and 56-5-500; and the enforcement and penalty sections 56-5-6170, 56-5-6190 and 56-5-6200; plus the driver point system in 56-1-720 and the magistrates and municipal court assessments in 14-1-207 and 14-1-208. It does not cover the text of any city's or county's ordinances (including Charleston's or Columbia's), other court fees on a particular ticket, injury claims after a crash, or the law of other states.

Is jaywalking illegal in South Carolina?

South Carolina's code does not use the word jaywalking. Its crossing rule, S.C. Code 56-5-3150, sets a yield duty and three more specific rules:

"(a) Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway. (b) Any pedestrian crossing a roadway at a point where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway. (c) Between adjacent intersections at which traffic-control signals are in operation pedestrians shall not cross at any place except in a marked crosswalk. (d) No pedestrian shall cross a roadway intersection diagonally unless authorized by official traffic-control devices and when authorized to cross diagonally pedestrians shall cross only in accordance with the official traffic-control devices pertaining to such crossing movements."

Under subsection (a), crossing mid-block is a duty to let traffic pass first, not a ban, unless subsection (c), subsection (d) or a local ordinance applies where you cross. Subsection (c) is not limited to urban or business districts; it applies wherever two adjacent intersections have signals in operation, and it requires a marked crosswalk.

Local rules in South Carolina cities and counties

Section 56-5-3120 lets local governments tighten the rules:

"Local authorities may by ordinance require that pedestrians shall strictly comply with the directions of any official traffic-control signal and may by ordinance prohibit pedestrians from crossing any roadway in a business district or any designated highways except in a crosswalk."

Where a city or county has used this power, crossing outside a crosswalk in its business district, or on a highway it has designated, can be a violation even when no car is coming. Check your city or county code of ordinances and the signs posted at the crossing.

Crossing against the light

Section 56-5-3110 binds pedestrians to signals statewide:

"(a) A pedestrian shall obey the instructions of any official traffic-control device specifically applicable to him unless otherwise directed by a police officer. (b) Pedestrians shall be subject to traffic and pedestrian-control signals as provided in Sections 56-5-970 and 56-5-990. (c) At all other places pedestrians shall be accorded the privileges and shall be subject to the restrictions stated in this chapter."

Where there is a pedestrian signal head, section 56-5-990 governs:

"Walk" indicates that a pedestrian facing such signal may proceed across the roadway in the direction of the signal and shall be given the right of way by the drivers of all vehicles; and (2) "Wait" indicates that no pedestrian shall start to cross the roadway in the direction of such signal, but any pedestrian who has partially completed his crossing on the walk signal shall proceed to a sidewalk or safety island while the wait signal is showing.

The violation is starting to cross on WAIT. A pedestrian already in the street when the signal changes is told to keep going to a sidewalk or safety island.

Where there is only an ordinary traffic light, section 56-5-970 applies unless a pedestrian-control signal directs otherwise:

• Facing any green signal, "except when the sole green signal is a turn arrow," pedestrians "may proceed across the roadway within any marked or unmarked crosswalk" (56-5-970(A)(3)).
• Facing a steady circular yellow or yellow arrow, pedestrians "are advised that there is insufficient time to cross the roadway before a red indication is shown and no pedestrian shall then start to cross the roadway" (56-5-970(B)(2)).
• Facing a steady circular red or red arrow signal alone, pedestrians "shall not enter the roadway" (56-5-970(C)(4)).

South Carolina's crosswalk definition

Section 56-5-500 defines a "crosswalk" as:

"(1) That part of a roadway at an intersection included within the connections of the lateral lines of the sidewalks on opposite sides of the highway measured from the curbs or in the absence of curbs from the edges of the traversable roadway; or (2) Any portion of a roadway at an intersection or elsewhere distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface."

Part (1) describes the unmarked crosswalk at an intersection by reference to the sidewalks on opposite sides of the highway; part (2) covers painted or otherwise marked crossings, at an intersection or mid-block. Section 56-5-390 provides that any person afoot is a "pedestrian."

Walking along the road and other pedestrian rules

Section 56-5-3160 governs walking along a highway:

"(a) Where a sidewalk is provided and its use is practicable, it shall be unlawful for any pedestrian to walk along and upon an adjacent roadway. (b) Where a sidewalk is not available any pedestrian walking along and upon a highway shall walk only on a shoulder as far as practicable from the edge of the roadway. (c) Where neither a sidewalk nor a shoulder is available, any pedestrian walking along and upon a highway shall walk as near as practicable to an outside edge of the roadway and, if on a two-way roadway, shall walk only on the left side of the roadway. (d) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, any pedestrian upon a roadway shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway."

Other pedestrian rules in Chapter 5:

• "Pedestrians shall move, whenever practicable, upon the right half of crosswalks" (56-5-3140).
• "(a) No person shall stand in a roadway for the purpose of soliciting a ride. (b) Except when authorized by the provisions of Section 5-27-910, no person shall stand on a highway for the purpose of soliciting employment, business, or contributions from the occupant of any vehicle" (56-5-3180).
• On the approach of an authorized emergency vehicle using audible and visual signals, "every pedestrian shall yield the right-of-way to the authorized emergency vehicle" (56-5-3260(a)).
• "A pedestrian who is under the influence of alcohol, or any drug, to a degree which renders himself a hazard shall not walk or be upon a highway except a sidewalk" (56-5-3270).
• "(a) No pedestrian shall enter or remain upon any bridge or approach thereto beyond the bridge signal, gate or barrier after a bridge operation signal indication has been given. (b) No pedestrian shall pass through, around, over or under any crossing gate or barrier at a railroad grade crossing or bridge while such gate or barrier is closed or is being opened or closed" (56-5-3280).
• "It is unlawful for any person, unless totally or partially blind or otherwise incapacitated, while on any public street or highway to carry in a raised or extended position a cane or walking stick which is white in color or white tipped with red" (56-5-3190); a violation is a misdemeanor punishable by "a fine not exceeding twenty-five dollars or imprisonment for not exceeding ten days" (56-5-3210).
• Section 56-5-3170 governs pedestrians on freeways; a person who violates it "is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days" (56-5-3170(B)).

What drivers owe pedestrians in South Carolina

• Crosswalks without working signals. "When traffic-control signals are not in place or not in operation the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way, slowing down or stopping if need be to yield to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger" (56-5-3130(a)). "Subsection (a) shall not apply under the conditions stated in subsection (b) of Section 56-5-3150" (56-5-3130(c)), that is, where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead crossing has been provided.
• No passing a stopped car. When a vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection to let a pedestrian cross, "the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass such stopped vehicle" (56-5-3130(d)).
• Green lights and turns. Vehicles facing a circular green, "including vehicles turning right or left, shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and to pedestrians lawfully within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk at the time such signal is exhibited" (56-5-970(A)(1)). Vehicles turning on red after stopping "shall yield the right of way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection" (56-5-970(C)(3), as amended by 2026 Act No. 173, effective May 18, 2026). The same act added 56-5-3530, under which a cyclist approaching a stop sign must "cautiously enter the intersection and yield the right of way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk" (56-5-3530(A)(3)).
• WALK signal. A pedestrian facing WALK "shall be given the right of way by the drivers of all vehicles" (56-5-990).
• Due care. "Notwithstanding other provisions of any local ordinance, every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian or any person propelling a human-powered vehicle and shall give an audible signal when necessary and shall exercise proper precaution upon observing any child or any obviously confused, incapacitated or intoxicated person" (56-5-3230).
• Blind pedestrians. When a pedestrian guided by a dog or carrying a white cane is attempting to cross, the driver of every approaching vehicle "shall bring his vehicle to a full stop before arriving at such intersection or place of crossing and before proceeding shall take such precautions as may be necessary to avoid injuring such pedestrian" (56-5-3200). A violation is a misdemeanor punishable by "a fine not exceeding twenty-five dollars or imprisonment for not exceeding ten days" (56-5-3210). A blind or otherwise incapacitated pedestrian who is not carrying such a cane or guided by a dog keeps the rights of a pedestrian, and that failure is not contributory negligence (56-5-3220).
• Sidewalks and safety zones. "The driver of a vehicle crossing a sidewalk shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and all other traffic on the sidewalk" (56-5-3250), and "No vehicle shall at any time be driven through or within a safety zone" (56-5-3240).

South Carolina's point system, in S.C. Code 56-1-720, evaluates "the operating record of persons to whom a license to operate motor vehicles has been granted." Among other items, it lists "Disobedience of any official traffic control device," "Failing to yield right-of-way" and "Driving through or within safety zone" at 4 points each.

Jaywalking fine and penalty in South Carolina

South Carolina treats a pedestrian violation as a misdemeanor. The crossing rule in 56-5-3150 states no penalty of its own, and neither do the other general pedestrian sections, so the chapter's general penalty in 56-5-6190 applies:

"It is a misdemeanor for any person to violate any of the provisions of this chapter unless such violation is by this chapter or other law of this State declared to be a felony. Every person convicted of a misdemeanor for a violation of any of the provisions of this chapter for which another penalty is not provided shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than thirty days."

Those figures are maximums, not a set ticket amount. On top of the fine, the assessment statutes for magistrates and municipal court provide that a person "who is convicted of, pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, or forfeits bond for an offense occurring after June 30, 2008, tried in magistrates court must pay an amount equal to 107.5 percent of the fine imposed as an assessment," that "The assessment is based upon that portion of the fine that is not suspended," and that "assessments must not be waived, reduced, or suspended" (S.C. Code 14-1-207(A)); section 14-1-208(A) says the same for an offense tried in municipal court. Check the ticket or the court named on it for the total amount due.

Two more enforcement provisions apply to every Chapter 5 violation. "Arrests and criminal prosecution for violation of this chapter shall be based upon evidence of a violation of the law" (56-5-6170). Fines collected by a magistrate go to the county treasurer, and fines collected by municipal police officers and municipal courts go to the city treasurer (56-5-6200). Sections 56-5-3110 to 56-5-3280 contain no provision limiting police stops of pedestrians.

If a pedestrian is hit by a car

Whether a pedestrian was crossing lawfully can come up after a collision, alongside the driver's duty of due care in 56-5-3230. For how fault and insurance work after a crash, see South Carolina car accident laws. Electric scooter riders follow their own rules, covered in South Carolina e-scooter laws.

Related pages

• Jaywalking laws by state
• South Carolina car accident laws
• South Carolina e-scooter laws
• North Carolina jaywalking laws
• Georgia jaywalking laws

This article provides general legal information about South Carolina law, not legal advice. For advice about a specific situation, contact a lawyer licensed in South Carolina or the court named on your ticket.

Last updated: 2026-10-10.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is jaywalking illegal in South Carolina?

Crossing outside a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection is allowed if you yield the right-of-way to all vehicles (S.C. Code 56-5-3150(a)). It is barred between adjacent intersections with operating signals except in a marked crosswalk, diagonal crossing is barred unless authorized (56-5-3150(c), (d)), and a local ordinance may bar it in a business district or on designated highways (56-5-3120).

What is the fine for jaywalking in South Carolina?

The pedestrian sections set no fine of their own, so the general penalty applies: a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $100 or imprisonment for not more than 30 days (S.C. Code 56-5-6190). That is a maximum. On top of any fine, a person who is convicted of, pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, or forfeits bond for an offense tried in magistrates court or municipal court must also pay an amount equal to 107.5 percent of the fine imposed as an assessment, based on the portion of the fine that is not suspended, and assessments must not be waived, reduced, or suspended (S.C. Code 14-1-207(A), 14-1-208(A)). Check the ticket for the amount due.

Is jaywalking a misdemeanor in South Carolina?

Yes. S.C. Code 56-5-6190 makes it a misdemeanor to violate any provision of Chapter 5 unless the violation is declared a felony, and Chapter 5 contains the pedestrian rules.

Can I cross against a WAIT or DON'T WALK signal in South Carolina?

No. Pedestrians are subject to pedestrian-control signals (S.C. Code 56-5-3110(b)), and on a WAIT signal no pedestrian shall start to cross; a pedestrian who partly crossed on WALK must proceed to a sidewalk or safety island (56-5-990).

Can I cross in the middle of the block in South Carolina?

Yes, if you yield to all vehicles (56-5-3150(a)), unless the block lies between two adjacent intersections with operating signals, where only a marked crosswalk is allowed (56-5-3150(c)), or a local ordinance bars it in a business district or on a designated highway (56-5-3120).

Do drivers have to stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk in South Carolina?

Where signals are not in place or not operating, drivers must yield, slowing down or stopping if need be, to a pedestrian in a crosswalk on their half of the roadway or approaching so closely from the other half as to be in danger, and may not pass a vehicle stopped for a pedestrian (S.C. Code 56-5-3130(a), (d)). The yield duty does not apply where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead crossing has been provided (56-5-3130(c), 56-5-3150(b)).

Which side of the road should I walk on in South Carolina?

Where a sidewalk is provided and its use is practicable, walking along and upon the adjacent roadway is unlawful; where there is no sidewalk, walk only on a shoulder as far as practicable from the edge of the roadway (S.C. Code 56-5-3160(a), (b)). Where neither a sidewalk nor a shoulder is available, walk as near as practicable to an outside edge of the roadway and, on a two-way roadway, only on the left side (56-5-3160(c)).