The Former Cop's Guide to Driving in Upstate South Carolina 

Because apparently, we need to talk about the left lane. 

Welcome to the Upstate. 

If you're new here, first of all: welcome. We're glad you're here. 

Second: please read the signs. 

I spent years as a police officer, which means I've seen just about every possible interpretation of "I thought I had the right of way." 

Now I'm a Realtor, which means I spend even more time on Greenville-area roads. 

So, consider this your unofficial Former Cop's Guide to Surviving Traffic in the Upstate. 

This isn't intended to be a legal textbook. It's a practical guide to the things that seem to confuse people the most—and the things that will make the people who live here quietly question your ability to operate a motor vehicle. 

Let's get started. 

Rule #1: The Left Lane Is Not Your Living Room 

South Carolina actually has a law about this, as do MOST states. 

On a controlled-access highway, the far-left lane is generally for overtaking and passing. There are exceptions for things like congestion, hazards, weather, or preparing for an exit. 

Translation: 

If you're cruising down I-85 in the left lane with nobody in front of you and a line of cars behind you, you are probably the problem. 

And no, saying: 

"But I'm doing the speed limit." 

doesn't solve the problem. 

The law isn't: 

"The left lane belongs to whoever is currently driving exactly the speed limit." 

Move right when appropriate. 

Let people pass. 

You don't have to personally enforce the speed limit by becoming a rolling roadblock. 

Former cop's translation: 

Pass left. Cruise right. 

And if someone comes flying up behind you at 90 mph? 

That's between them, God, and the Highway Patrol. 

You're still not supposed to camp in the left lane.  

Rule #2: Your Turn Signal Is Not a Last-Second Announcement 

South Carolina law requires a turn signal to be given continuously for at least the last 100 feet traveled before turning when a signal is required. 

Notice the words: 

100 feet. 

Not: 

"Approximately three car lengths before I turn." 

Not: 

"As I'm beginning the turn." 

And definitely not: 

"I remembered when the steering wheel started moving." 

Use your signal early enough that the people behind you actually have time to react. 

That's the entire point. 

A turn signal isn't a courtesy light. 

It's communication. 

And communication works better when you do it before the event you're communicating about. 

Driver’s here tailgate (separate issue) and this will help prevent you being rear ended. 

Rule #3: The Merge Point Is There for a Reason 

This one causes absolute chaos around Greenville. 

Especially on I-85 around Pelham Road. 

You've got two lanes. 

One lane is eventually going away. 

And for some reason, 500 people decide they should all merge into the remaining lane half a mile before the lane actually ends. 

Congratulations. 

You have now created a traffic jam. 

Here's the concept: 

If two lanes are available and one eventually closes, use the available lane and merge at the designated merge point when it's safe. 

Don't merge ridiculously early just because you think you're being polite. 

And don't block the lane because you think everyone using it is "cutting." 

They're not necessarily cutting. 

They're using the road that's still available. 

The goal is to create an orderly zipper merge: 

One car. 

One car. 

One car. 

One car. 

Not: 

"I merged early, so now everyone else has to merge early too." 

That behavior is exactly how a two-lane roadway turns into a parking lot. 

But there's an important distinction: 

I'm talking about a lane that is ending or merging into another lane, not an entrance ramp where you're trying to merge into high-speed interstate traffic. 

If you're entering I-85, you need to find a safe gap and merge appropriately. 

The person already traveling on the interstate isn't required to magically disappear because you ran out of acceleration lane. 

Rule #4: A YIELD SIGN Does Not Mean "Go Ahead, They'll Move" 

This one should be obvious. 

Apparently it isn't. 

A yield sign means you give the right-of-way to traffic that has the right-of-way. 

South Carolina law specifically requires drivers approaching a yield sign to slow to a speed reasonable for the existing conditions and, when necessary, stop before proceeding. 

So if you're sitting at a yield sign trying to merge onto a busy road and there isn't a safe gap: 

You wait. 

If you have to stop: 

You stop. 

What you don't do is: 

"Well, I'm technically moving, so they're going to have to let me in." 

No. 

That's not how yielding works. 

Former cop's translation: 

If the other driver has to brake because you entered their lane, you probably didn't yield. 

Rule #5: Stop Signs Are Not Suggestions 

Let's talk about three-way and four-way stops. 

At a four-way stop, the basic concept isn't complicated: 

First vehicle there generally goes first. 

If two vehicles arrive at approximately the same time, the vehicle on the right generally has the right-of-way. 

And once someone has the right-of-way: 

Let them go. 

Don't wave them through. 

Don't wave someone through and then go anyway. 

Don't sit there for 14 seconds trying to determine who technically arrived first while three cars behind you begin reconsidering their life choices. 

And at a three-way stop? 

Same basic principle. 

There are three approaches to the intersection—not some mysterious third category of right-of-way. 

And one more thing: 

If you have a stop sign and the other road doesn't: 

You stop. 

I don't care if you've lived here for 40 years. 

Rule #6: Right on Red Means You Can Turn—After You STOP 

Unless a sign prohibits it, a right turn on red is generally permitted after coming to a complete stop and yielding as required. 

The operative word is: 

STOP. 

Not: 

"Slow down enough that the brake lights come on." 

Not: 

"Roll through at approximately 7 mph while looking left." 

And most importantly, not: Stop and sit there for the light cycle preventing others from continuing.

Stop. 

Look. 

Make sure the intersection is clear. 

Yield to pedestrians and traffic with the right-of-way. 

Then go when it's safe. 

It's actually pretty simple. 

Rule #7: The Flashing Yellow Arrow Is Not a Red Light 

This one seems to cause unnecessary panic. 

If you're sitting at a flashing yellow arrow for a left turn, you are generally permitted to make the turn after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians and when the way is clear. 

SCDOT specifically describes the flashing yellow arrow as permitting left turns while requiring drivers to use caution and yield. 

So: 

Green arrow: 

You have a protected left turn. 

Flashing yellow arrow: 

You can turn—but you don't have the protected right-of-way. 

Red arrow: 

You're stopping. 

The flashing yellow arrow is basically the traffic signal saying: 

"You may go. Please don't hit anybody." 

Rule #8: Stop Slowing Down 300 Feet Before Your Turn 

This one isn't really a legal issue as much as a please-use-common-sense issue. 

If you're approaching a designated turn lane, the purpose of that lane is to allow you to get out of the through lane so you can slow down and make your turn without unnecessarily impeding the traffic behind you. 

So if you're turning right: 

Signal. 

Enter the turn lane when appropriate. 

Then slow down for the turn. 

Don't sit in the through lane traveling 20 mph under the speed limit for the last 200 feet because you're preparing for your turn. 

Get into the turn lane. 

That's what it's there for. 

Obviously, safety comes first. If traffic, pedestrians, road conditions, or some other hazard require you to slow earlier, slow down. 

But generally: 

Don't make the entire lane behind you slow down because you're preparing to turn. 

Rule #9: To Everyone Who Just Moved Here From Somewhere Else... 

Welcome. 

Seriously. 

We like you. 

Mostly. 

But if you moved here from: 

New York 

New Jersey 

Ohio 

Pennsylvania 

Florida 

Virginia 

North Carolina 

California 

or basically anywhere else... 

there's a decent chance you brought some driving habits with you. 

Some are fine. 

Some are not. 

And some are apparently based on a completely different version of the Highway Code. 

The Upstate has grown tremendously. 

Greenville has people moving here from all over the country, and that's a good thing. 

But please remember: 

You are now driving in South Carolina. 

Learn the roads. 

Learn the signs. 

Learn the traffic patterns. 

And for the love of everything holy, don't bring your state's version of a four-way-stop negotiation to Woodruff Road at 5:15 PM. 

Rule #10: The Carolina Squat 

If you don't know what a Carolina Squat is, congratulations. 

If you own one, we need to talk. 

South Carolina made the modification illegal in 2023. 

Under current law, a vehicle is prohibited from being operated on South Carolina roads if the front fender is raised or lowered four or more inches relative to the rear fender. The penalties increase for repeat offenses. 

So if your truck looks like it's permanently preparing to launch into the atmosphere: 

That's a problem. 

And yes, the irony of a modification called the Carolina Squat being illegal in South Carolina is not lost on anyone. 

But if you currently drive a car like this, you’re most likely not buying a house, so do you. 

Now Let's Talk About Greenville Traffic 

Because knowing the law is one thing. 

Knowing where the law becomes a group project is another. 

I-85 & Pelham Road 

This deserves its own chapter. 

You've got interstate traffic. 

You've got people entering. 

You've got people exiting. 

You've got people changing lanes three times because they suddenly remembered they need to go to Target. 

And you've got the merge-point problem. 

Do not panic. 

Watch the signs. 

Pick your lane early when you actually need to. 

Use the full available merge lane when appropriate. 

And don't slam on the brakes because you saw a car 400 feet ahead. 

Woodruff Road 

Woodruff Road is not a road. 

Woodruff Road is a social experiment. 

There are: 

Traffic lights 

Shopping centers 

Restaurants 

Costco 

Target 

Turning lanes 

People turning left 

People turning right 

People who suddenly realize where they're going 

And approximately 47,000 other people who had the same idea 

Plan accordingly. 

And speaking of Costco... 

There Is One Costco in Greenville County. 

One. 

It is located at 1021 Woodruff Road. 

Which means there is a very simple rule: 

Don't go to Costco on Saturday if you're in a hurry. 

Because on weekends, apparently the South Carolina Driver's Handbook becomes optional reading. 

The Costco Weekend Rules 

Rule #1: Don't block the intersection. 

Rule #2: Don't stop in the middle of the road because someone is waving you into a parking space. 

Rule #3: The parking lot is not a NASCAR qualifying session. 

Rule #4: If someone is backing out, give them room. 

Rule #5: If you're driving through the parking lot at 4 mph, you are somehow both the safest person alive and the reason everyone behind you is furious. 

And remember: 

There is always another day to buy 72 rolls of toilet paper. 

Other Greenville Areas Where You Should Pay Attention 

We'll expand this section, but some of the roads and areas where Greenville drivers routinely need a little extra patience include: 

I-85 

Especially around: 

Pelham Road 

Woodruff Road 

I-385 interchange 

Laurens Road area 

I-385 

Especially: 

Downtown Greenville 

I-85 interchange 

Woodruff Road 

Laurens Road 

Verdae area 

Woodruff Road 

You already know. 

Wade Hampton Boulevard 

Multiple intersections, commercial entrances, turning traffic, and plenty of opportunities for someone to decide they need to turn right now. 

Laurens Road 

Watch your lanes. 

Watch your signals. 

Watch people entering and exiting businesses. 

Pleasantburg Drive 

Pay attention to turning traffic and changing lanes. 

White Horse Road 

Expect varying traffic speeds, commercial entrances, and people making decisions that apparently weren't made until approximately 11 feet before the intersection. 

Finally: Don't Be a Jerk 

This is probably the most important rule. 

You don't have to win every traffic interaction. 

Someone merges in front of you? 

Let it go. 

Someone doesn't accelerate as quickly as you would? 

Let it go. 

Someone takes three seconds too long at a green light? 

Let it go. 

Someone is driving slower than you? 

Pass safely when appropriate. 

Someone doesn't know where they're going? 

They're probably new here. 

And if you're new here: 

We're glad you're here. 

Just learn how to drive here. 

The Upstate Driver's Ten Commandments 

1. Thou shalt not camp in the left lane. 

2. Thou shalt signal before turning—not during. 

3. Thou shalt use the merge lane instead of creating a parking lot 500 feet early. 

4. Thou shalt actually yield at a yield sign. 

5. Thou shalt stop at a stop sign. 

6. Thou shalt stop before turning right on red. 

7. Thou shalt understand the flashing yellow arrow. 

8. Thou shalt use the turn lane for turning. 

9. Thou shalt leave the Carolina Squat in 2023 where it belongs. 

10. Thou shalt approach Woodruff Road and Costco with appropriate preparation and humility. 

Welcome to the Upstate. 

Drive safe. 

And if you see someone doing any of these things while you're driving around Greenville... 

Just remember: you have no idea how their day is going. 

Unless they're camping in the left lane. 

Then they're just wrong. 

About the Author 

Rob Hollingsworth is a former police officer and Greenville-area Realtor specializing in helping buyers—particularly veterans and military families—navigate the Upstate South Carolina real estate market. 

He has spent years observing people do things behind the wheel that should probably require a permit. 

Now he sells houses. 

Somehow, this is less stressful.