This week marks an important change on South Carolina’s roads. The South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act, often referred to as the South Carolina Hands-Free law, officially goes into effect. The South Carolina legislature passed this measure to curb distracted driving, lower the number of traffic accidents, and create safer conditions for everyone traveling through the Palmetto State.
Enforced by the South Carolina Highway Patrol and other law enforcement officers, this law will significantly change how drivers interact with any mobile device or mobile electronic device while behind the wheel.
What the South Carolina Hands-Free Law Requires
The South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act makes it illegal for drivers to hold a mobile device, cellular telephone, or wireless electronic communication device while operating a motor vehicle. That means:
- No text message, text-based communication, or text messaging while driving.
- No checking social media, emails, or other electronic communications.
- No watching videos, playing an electronic game, or streaming content.
- No holding mobile devices for navigation.
Drivers may still use voice-activated commands, voice-activated mode, or voice commands to operate navigation apps, make Bluetooth calls, or use voice communication systems like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Penalties and Enforcement
Violations of the South Carolina Hands-Free law carry financial consequences:
- First offense: fines up to $100.
- Subsequent offenses: fines up to $200.
Repeat offenses could impact a driver’s license and may fall under the points system outlined in SC Code of Laws Section 56-1-2110 and S.C. Code Section 56-5-3890. For some commercial operators, violations could be considered disqualifying violations under 49 CFR 383.51, which affect a commercial driver’s license.
The South Carolina Department of Public Safety, together with the Department of Transportation, has clarified that the law will be enforced during traffic stops by troopers and local agencies, including Sumter police and officials in Sumter County, Greenville Co., and Greenwood Co.
Why the Law Was Passed
Distracted driving is a leading cause of traffic collisions, fatal crashes, and injury crashes in South Carolina. The South Carolina legislature acted after years of public pressure and comparisons to Georgia’s Hands-Free law, which successfully reduced distracted driving incidents across the border.
The aim is to reduce delayed reaction time, improve driver focus, and prevent unnecessary tragedies on roads stretching from Myrtle Beach to Highway 261 North in Sumter County.
Broader Impacts and Awareness
Public awareness is a key component. State leaders and groups like the American Heart Association, better known for health initiatives like high blood pressure guidelines, have joined coalitions to push distracted driving awareness. Campaigns branded under Hands Free SC are being rolled out across media, from FOX Carolina news reports to roadside billboards.
These campaigns emphasize the risks of ignoring the texting while driving ban, especially when emergency responders and emergency services often deal with the aftermath of avoidable wrecks.
How Drivers Can Prepare
To comply with the South Carolina Hands-Free law, drivers should:
- Mount their GPS receivers before leaving.
- Set navigation apps to route trips ahead of time.
- Use voice-activated commands through Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
- Avoid checking social media or sending a text message until parked.
Even teen escape initiatives and school outreach through the Sumter School District, school board, and School attendance lines stress the importance of preventing distracted driving among younger drivers.
Comparing South Carolina to Other States
The passage of the South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act aligns the Palmetto State with national efforts. By strengthening its laws, South Carolina helps secure compliance with federal road funds requirements and joins the ranks of states combating distracted driving more aggressively.
While drivers in Georgia have adapted to Georgia’s Hands-Free law, South Carolina motorists now face similar obligations. The law’s adoption may also impact pedal cyclists, passengers carrying a pet carrier or portable kennel, and even those relying on electronic communications for work.
Critics and Concerns
Some skeptics raise questions about traffic stops and enforcement. Will law enforcement officers be able to distinguish between someone adjusting attendance maps on their phone versus responding to electronic communications? Others worry about disproportionate impacts in rural areas like Sumter County, where Sumter County leaders are already addressing community issues from school populations to facilities like the Rafting Creek Community Center.
Despite these concerns, safety advocates maintain that enforcing the texting while driving ban will prevent future traffic accidents and fatal crashes.
Looking Ahead
The South Carolina Department of Public Safety will track the law’s effectiveness, analyzing reductions in traffic collisions, injury crashes, and fatal crashes. Data may also be used to evaluate disqualifying violations for those with a commercial driver’s license and whether updates to the points system are necessary.
For the public, the message remains clear: distracted driving is dangerous. Every time a driver chooses a voice-activated command instead of picking up a mobile device, lives are potentially saved.
Conclusion
The South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act represents a turning point in road safety for the Palmetto State. By limiting the use of mobile devices, discouraging social media scrolling, and banning text-based communication while driving, the law creates safer conditions for all.
Whether driving through Myrtle Beach, commuting in Greenville Co., or attending community events at places like the Rafting Creek Community Center, drivers are expected to adjust their habits immediately.
About Ted Law firm
Ted Law Firm, remains committed to keeping South Carolina residents updated on new safety measures and legislative changes.We serve families across Aiken, Anderson, Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, Myrtle Beach, North Augusta and Orangeburg. From school board discussions to laws like the South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act, Ted Law provides insights into how policies affect communities, drivers, and families across the region.Contact us today for a free consultation
