Is ‘rat running’ in traffic illegal in SC? Here’s what state law says

Let’s say you’re late for an appointment and get stuck at a red light behind lots of cars. You might not even make it through the next light.

And then you see a sideroad or a gas station or even a cemetery and think that looks like a great shortcut. Maybe you can make it afterall.

Are you breaking the state law in South Carolina if you lean into your impulse?

Technically no. But industrious law enforcement officers could use other laws to snag you such as reckless driving or trespassing on private property or even just avoiding a traffic signal.

The colloquial term for this is rat running — so named because the endeavor is sort of like rats running through a maze.

And while it may just be expedient for drivers, for homeowners on side streets, it can become financial, as in the possibility of home values dropping or collisions. Such actions could also endanger children in neighbrhoods and even cause road rage, according to an article on Wikipedia.

Meredith Houck, spokesperson for the South Carolina Municipal Association, said many South Carolina municipalities have corner cutting ordinances, including West Columbia and Cayce. Due West and Kershaw have similar ordinances.

Tara Eaker, assistant city manager for the City of Greenville, said the city prohibits avoiding any traffic control sign, signal or device by driving upon or through any private property.

In the absence of such ordinances, road planners deter rat running by installing speed humps, traffic circles and rumble strips, by making some streets one-way, or by blocking off certain intersections.

Rat running is illegal in Virginia, New York, Florida, New Jersey, Illinois and Texas, according to Nolo Law, an online legal encyclopedia.

Here’s what Nolo Law says about these states’ laws.

Florida: anyone who drives a vehicle from a roadway to another roadway to avoid obeying a traffic control device faces a $60 fine.

Texas: cross a sidewalk or drive through a driveway, parking lot, or business or residential entrance without stopping can be convicted of a misdemeanor and face a $1 to $200 fine.

Illinois: drive across private property face a fine of $75 to $1,000.

New Jersey: Fine $50 to $200 fine and up to 15 days in jail.

New York: maximum $138 fine.

Virginia: fine $101.