Cold parks police bikes

Deputy William McCarty will still be pulling over speeding drivers when temperatures fall into the teens this week, but he'll do it from the warmth of his patrol car instead of his motorcycle.

When the temperature falls into the lower 30s, the Richmond County sheriff's 12 motorcycle deputies must trade in two wheels for four.

"Once it gets so close to freezing, they could hit ice and other stuff," sheriff's Lt. Scott Gay said. "We certainly don't want to put our officers in any undue risks by riding those motorcycles."

At 40 degrees, deputies can choose between the bikes and cars, he said.

Deputy McCarty, who has been a part of the motorcycle division for seven years, said riders typically wear thick leather jackets, gloves and a mask to keep warm.

Forecasters are calling for a low of 19 degrees today and down to the single digits Friday night, according to the National Weather Service in West Columbia, S.C. The highs will be 49 degrees today and 39 degrees Friday.

Deputy McCarty said police won't hesitate to pull drivers over -- even if it means leaving their warm cars.

"It gets difficult, but if we're out riding we are going to be doing our job," he said.

Reach Adam Folk at (706) 823-3339 or adam.folk@augustachronicle.com.