Too Fast for Conditions is a criminal traffic offense in South Carolina. It carries a fine and license points just like a speeding ticket, but there is no requirement that you were exceeding a posted speed limit.

The law is contained in S.C. Code § 56-5-1520 where it makes it unlawful to operate a vehicle at a greater speed than is "reasonable and prudent." Often times driver's are cited with this offense after a traffic accident when the police can't actually determine what or why an accident occurred. This is even though under South Carolina law "[n]o police officer in investigating a traffic accident shall necessarily deem the fact that an accident has occurred as giving rise to a presumption that a violation of a law has occurred." S.C . Code § 56-5-6170.

Please follow this link for a full copy of South Carolina's Too Fast for Conditions Law.

Anyone who pleads guilty, no contest or is convicted by the Court will face a Court fine, license points and a likely increase in their insurance rates.

Anytime someone is charged with too fast for conditions there are likely defenses that can be raised at either a bench or a jury trial. Often times commercial drivers and those with other tickets on their record will find it worthwhile to retain counsel for this offense.

If you have received a South Carolina Too Fast for Conditions ticket - and believe that you may be interested in retaining an attorney you are invited to contact the Law Office of James R. Snell, Jr., LLC, at 1-866-252-5789. Although we are able to accept Traffic Court cases throughout South Carolina we primarily practice in Lexington and Richland counties and other nearby areas.