SC remains among few states to ban red-light, speed cameras
New residents to South Carolina are often surprised to discover that the state prohibits the use of red-light and speed cameras for traffic enforcement. Unlike neighboring states, South Carolina law bans issuing citations based on photographic evidence.
State law (S.C. Code Ann. § 56735) explicitly prevents tickets from being issued “solely or as the result of photographic evidence,” a policy adopted in 2011 after backlash against a small town’s use of interstate speed cameras.
Ridgeland, located in Jasper County, had used officer-monitored speed cameras on I-95 to issue thousands of tickets, most to out-of-state drivers, leading to lawsuits and legislative scrutiny. Lawmakers responded by outlawing the practice statewide.
Cameras elsewhere, and the safety impact
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Governors Highway Safety Association, six states—South Carolina, Texas, Mississippi, Maine, New Hampshire and West Virginia—have enacted laws that ban both red-light and speed enforcement cameras statewide. In addition, two states ban only red-light cameras: Montana and South Dakota, and two ban only speed cameras: New Jersey and Wisconsin. These bans reflect a combination of privacy concerns, legal challenges and opposition to automated enforcement without direct officer involvement.
A 2005 Federal Highway Administration study found that red-light cameras reduced right-angle crashes, often the most dangerous, by about 25 percent, although rear-end crashes increased slightly. The overall cost-benefit ratio remained positive.
A 2011 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) report linked red-light cameras in 14 major U.S. cities to a 24 percent drop in red-light running fatalities and a 17 percent reduction in all fatal crashes at signalized intersections.
Speed cameras have shown even broader results. A Cochrane Review meta-analysis of 28 international studies found that speed cameras reduced crashes causing death or serious injury by 11 to 44 percent and lowered average speeds significantly near enforcement zones.
In Montgomery County, Md., speed enforcement in school zones cut the number of drivers exceeding the speed limit by more than 10 mph by 59 percent, and reduced severe crashes by 19 percent, according to a study from the IIHS.org.
Arguments in South Carolina
Despite the data, efforts to bring automated enforcement to South Carolina remain stalled. Lawmakers and law enforcement leaders say cameras remove necessary officer discretion and can ensnare innocent drivers, such as rental car users or those borrowing vehicles.
But some safety advocates say the state is missing an opportunity, both in terms of public safety and fiscal return. Cameras, they argue, could free up officer time for more serious offenses while encouraging safer driving in high-risk areas like school zones and urban intersections.
In addition, revenue generated by fines, if directed to local infrastructure or safety programs, could support repairs, sidewalks or traffic-calming projects.
While legislative interest has resurfaced periodically, especially from cities like Columbia, the core ban remains unchanged. Prominent voices have cited concerns over privacy, revenue misuse and the need for direct law enforcement involvement.
In May 2025, Senate Bill 664, known as the “South Carolina Speed Safety Act of 2025,” was introduced. This legislation proposes narrowly permitting officer-monitored speed safety systems in larger jurisdictions (populations over 25,000). As of now, it remains in the Senate Transportation Committee and has not yet advanced.
What residents can do
For those interested in supporting the use of red-light or speed cameras, advocates recommend contacting state legislators and urging amendments to the current law.
Citizens can also voice support at city council or public safety meetings and encourage their municipalities to track traffic violations and crash data, which could help build the case for change.
