Mo-ped regulations to require license, insurance

Mo-peds, the poky two-wheelers annoying motorists throughout South Carolina, may soon be regulated like other motor vehicles. “We’re moving it,” State Sen. Greg Hembree of Little River says of legislation before a subcommittee of the Senate Transportation Committee.

Mo-peds are virtually unregulated in South Carolina, with the state requiring neither registration of the machine nor licensing of the operator. The latter may be completely under the influence of alcohol and ride a mo-ped entirely free of the laws that apply to drivers of other motor vehicles, Hembree has pointed out. As the former prosecutor (solicitor) for Horry and Georgetown counties, Hembree has the background and experience to recognize a serious problem that must be corrected.

Law enforcement officers have been frustrated by the absence of regulations for mo-peds, allowing people who have lost their drivers licenses, perhaps because of DUI violations, to legally operate mo-peds. “They’re all fed up,” Rep. Bill Crosby of North Charleston said of the law enforcement view of mo-peds after the House passed a comprehensive bill in January. “It’s going to save lives.”

Other legislators do not agree. The House bill was opposed by more than 40 representatives. One opponent, Doug Brannon of Landrum, claimed regulating mo-peds “will create another group of individuals who can’t keep a job because they don’t have transportation to work. It’s taking food out of babies’ mouths.” That’s extreme, no doubt, but it illustrates the difficulty in changing the state law to regulate mo-peds. Obviously, mo-peds are not the only transportation option for people who cannot legally drive motor vehicles. It is unfortunately true that public transportation is lacking in many areas.

Hembree describes the House measure as “a very good, comprehensive bill requiring insurance, licensing and safety equipment.” The House had four subcommittee hearings. The Senate subcommittee, chaired by Hembree, is in the process of “making a number of amendments. We’re polishing it,” Hembree says. One of the amendments will change from 14 to 15 the minimum age for mo-ped operators. Another amendment will require helmets on mo-ped operators until at least age 21. This mirrors S.C. regulations for motorcycles.

The subcommittee held one hearing on the House bill and Hembree anticipates the subcommittee will finish work on the bill and report it out on Tuesday to the full Transportation Committee. As with most legislation, the mo-ped legislation is not perfect. “We’re trying to get something we can pass,” Hembree says.

In the House, opponents managed to remove a restriction of mo-peds to roads with 35 miles-per-hour or less speed limits. The opponents argued that mo-peds have to cross highways with higher limits. Generally, mo-peds cannot go faster than 35 mph on level ground and are powered by an engine no bigger than 50 cubic centimeters. The danger is obvious in allowing mo-peds on highways such as U.S. 17 Bypass. That restriction should be restored.

It’s well past time for South Carolina to regulate mo-peds and treat the two-wheelers like other motor vehicles. The legislation should have the support of all Georgetown and Horry County legislators.

This story was originally published February 15, 2016 at 8:41 AM with the headline "Mo-ped regulations to require license, insurance."