South Carolina Considers Alternate Penalties for Drivers Caught Going Slightly Above Speed Limit

According to the bipartisan legislation, windfall revenues would be split between the state and the towns or cities that issue tickets.

It's not clear how much money the proposal, which was introduced last month and is now under review in a legislative committee, would raise. South Carolina faces a $800 million-plus budget shortfall.

But state Rep. Todd Rutherford, a Democratic co-sponsor of the bill, told FoxNews.com that the legislation isn't aimed at closing the deficit. While the local ticketing process would help divert revenues from insurance companies to the cash-strapped state, Rutherford said it's directed at providing additional protections for motorists.

"My biggest thing is motorists should have an option and law enforcement should have an option," he said.