Seeing more officers on Horry County roads? Why police are writing tickets
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Drivers in Horry County and throughout the state will see increased police presence on roads this week in response to recent deaths of South Carolina Highway Patrol troopers.
Motorists may have seen multiple state and local law enforcement vehicles pulling people over along busy highways, including S.C. 31 and U.S. 501.
Police are targeting the enforcement of two laws in particular.
Across South Carolina, local police departments are partnering with the South Carolina Highway Patrol and State Transport Police for Operation Keep Us Safe, which began on Monday and will run through Friday.
During that time, a heavier police presence is taking to the roadways, and while all traffic violations will continue to be policed, enforcement efforts are paying particular mind to the state’s Hands-Free and Move Over laws.
The initiative began in response to the recent deaths of three SCHP troopers who were hit during traffic stops.
“Every day we have people come within inches of hitting us,” SCHP Cpl. David Jones said.
The North Myrtle Beach Police Department announced on Facebook that it would be joining the collaborative effort this week. In addition, Horry County Police also have been seen during traffic stops.
The state’s new Hands-Free law went into effect on Sept. 1, and bans drivers from using or holding their phones while operating a vehicle. It does not apply to earpieces or wrist-worn devices that rely on voice-based communication.
South Carolina’s Move Over law requires drivers to slow down and change lanes to give a safe distance to stationary emergency vehicles with their lights on. If changing lanes is unsafe or not possible, drivers must slow down to a safe speed for the present conditions.
Jones urged drivers to keep their eyes on the road, and to slow down and move over when they see flashing lights — whether they’re from a police car, ambulance or work vehicle.
“We need you to focus on the road,” Jones said.
Trooper First Class Dennis Ricks was hit by a vehicle during a traffic stop in Orangeburg County and died four days later on Aug. 13. Senior Trooper Mitchell Williams Jr. was hit during a traffic stop in Richland County on I-77 northbound on Sept. 7, according to a release from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety. Master Trooper Wayne LaBounty was hit during a traffic stop in Lexington County on Sept. 9.
The driver who hit Williams was charged with a DUI, and the driver who hit LaBounty was charged with reckless driving, Jones said.
Operation Keep Us Safe is aiming to improve officer safety by keeping drivers focused on the road and a safe distance away, he said.
This story was originally published September 17, 2025 at 11:49 AM.
