Careless Operation For Acceleration

[B. Rock]

Received a traffic ticket today. Officer informed me that the citation is for careless operation:acceleration.

I was on an expressway, the speed limit is 50 mph. I was on the right lane and the vehicle in front of me was going aprox. 35 mph. I put my left signal blinkers on and pass the slow vehicle increasing the speed (aprox. 45 mph). Returning to the right lane using the right blinkers, staying at aprox. 45 to 50 mph. A vehicle on the left lane puts its right signal light on as I started passing it.

That vehicle got behind me and come to find out, it was an unmark county deputy vehicle. When stop, the officer approached the vehicle, he did not identifide himself. He asked my for my lic.,reg., & ins. card. I asked the deputy what is the speed limit and he stated "I don't know". He was also asked what department he was from since he had an unmark vehicle. I did not recognize the uniform or the agency patch. From the expression on his face, it seem that he did not like the questions. When I was given the citation, the officer informed it was for acceleration.

What I look up so far, I found SC section 56-7-70. TITLE: Law enforcement officer identifcation upon stopping a driver.
It states: When a law enforcement officer stops a driver for a violation of the motor vehicle laws, he shall present his law enforcement badge or other appropriate identification to the driver immediately upon approaching him and before questioning.

Info on ticket:
Violation-Carless Operation
Violation Section No. (appears to be) C10
Offense Code (appear to be) 97 or 99

I'm trying find the exact code. I'll be checking the library, it may not be up to date on codes. I want to check out all avenues before I decide if I should pay or fight it.

Any imput will be appreciated.

Bob

[aaron]

A prior discussion of careless driving tickets in South Carolina, which you may find useful, can be found here.