By PSA Newsroom Staff
Columbia, S.C. — The sound of truck horns echoed around the South Carolina State Capitol yesterday as dozens of semi-trucks rolled into downtown Columbia, drawing attention to a growing concern among drivers who say rising insurance costs and lawsuit exposure are threatening their livelihoods.
The demonstration, organized by the South Carolina Trucking Association, brought independent drivers, small fleet owners, and logistics workers together to call for changes to the state’s civil liability laws, commonly referred to as tort reform.
“This wasn’t about causing a scene,” said SCTA President Rick Todd. “It was about being seen. Truckers have been asking for reform for years, and many feel like this is the only way left to get lawmakers’ attention.”
Drivers delivered letters to legislators, held signs calling for “fair courts,” and periodically sounded their horns in unison — a symbolic reminder, organizers said, of how unheard they feel inside the legislative process.
For Jeff Wade, a veteran driver with nearly five decades on the road, the issue is personal.
“I’ve watched insurance rates climb year after year,” Wade said. “You can do everything right and still worry that one lawsuit could end your business.”
The Legislative Focus
At the center of the protest is Senate Bill 244 (S.244), a proposal being considered during the 2025–2026 legislative session. The bill would change how fault is assigned in civil lawsuits and adjust certain liability standards. Supporters argue it would reduce frivolous lawsuits and help stabilize insurance costs for trucking companies and other small businesses.
The bill’s full text and status can be found here:
Industry advocates say reforms like S.244 are necessary to keep trucking businesses operating in South Carolina and to protect jobs in a sector that underpins the state’s economy.
Opposing Viewpoints
Not everyone agrees reform is the answer.
Trial attorneys and consumer advocates argue that limiting liability or altering fault standards could make it harder for injured people to receive full compensation after serious accidents. They warn that changes may shift financial responsibility away from negligent parties and onto victims and taxpayers.
Opponents also emphasize that lawsuits play a role in maintaining accountability and improving safety across industries, including trucking.
What Comes Next
While no immediate legislative action followed the protest, state lawmakers acknowledged the concerns raised and indicated tort reform will continue to be debated as the session moves forward.
As trucks departed the Capitol grounds later in the day, drivers said they hope the message resonated beyond the noise.
“We don’t want special treatment,” Wade said. “We just want a fair system that lets us keep working.”
