South Carolina, September 2, 2025
News Summary
The Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act in South Carolina will take effect on Labor Day 2025, banning texting, emailing, and streaming while driving. The law allows hands-free navigation and emergency calls. A 180-day grace period will offer warnings before fines are instituted. This new legislation aims to reduce the state’s alarming rate of over 20,000 annual collisions linked to distracted driving.
Columbia
The South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act is set to take effect on Labor Day, September 1, 2025, marking a significant shift in regulations aimed at enhancing road safety throughout the state.
This new law prohibits drivers from engaging in activities such as texting, checking emails, and streaming videos while driving. Under the regulations, drivers are permitted to use mounted devices for navigation purposes and hands-free calling. However, individuals are allowed to handle their phones solely for emergency calls to 911.
A grace period lasting 180 days is set to follow the law’s inception, lasting until February 28, 2026. During this time, law enforcement will issue warnings instead of fines to individuals found in violation of these new rules.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
After the grace period concludes, drivers caught violating the law for the first time will face a $100 fine. Subsequent violations will incur fines of $200, as well as points added to the driver’s license. The law is applicable on both highways and city roads. Importantly, even if a driver is stationary at a traffic light, they are still prohibited from holding a cellphone in their hands or laps.
Objective of the Law
The primary aim of the Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act is to reduce the number of traffic collisions attributed to distracted driving in South Carolina. Currently, more than 20,000 traffic collisions occur each year, directly linked to distracted driving behaviors.
This law supersedes the previous texting-and-driving legislation, which only prohibited texting while driving and carried a minimal $25 fine without any associated points against the driver’s license. Law enforcement will now have the authority to stop and cite any driver observed using a handheld device while driving. Fortunately, the use of hands-free technology, such as voice-activated Bluetooth, remains legal under the new regulations.
Defining Distracted Driving
According to the law, distracted driving encompasses any activity that diverts a driver’s attention from the task of driving. The definition of mobile electronic devices includes cellphones, portable computers, electronic gaming devices, GPS receivers, and similar gadgets. Drivers can still use approved mounting devices and wireless car screens legally.
Recent Statistics
Reflecting the pressing need for such regulations, data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration indicates that in 2023 alone, there were 3,275 fatalities in the U.S. attributed to distracted driving. Prior to the announcement of the new law, the Greenville Police Department reported issuing 23 citations and 48 warnings for texting and driving since August 20, 2023, under the previous regulations.
For more information regarding the Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act, individuals can visit the official state website at scdps.sc.gov/handsfree.
FAQ
What is the South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act?
The South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act is a law that prohibits drivers from using mobile devices for activities such as texting, checking emails, and streaming videos while driving, effective September 1, 2025.
What activities are banned under this law?
Drivers are prohibited from texting, emailing, streaming videos, or engaging with handheld devices while operating a vehicle. However, they can use mounted devices for GPS and hands-free calls.
What is the penalty for violating this law?
During the 180-day grace period, drivers will receive warnings. After this period, a first offense will result in a $100 fine, whereas subsequent violations will incur $200 fines and points on the driver’s license.
Can I use my phone if I am stopped at a traffic light?
No, even while stopped at a traffic light, drivers are not allowed to hold their cellphones in their hands or laps.
What is the objective of the Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act?
The law aims to reduce the number of annual traffic collisions attributed to distracted driving, which currently exceeds 20,000 in South Carolina.
Key Features of the Law
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Effective Date | September 1, 2025 |
| Grace Period | 180 days, ending February 28, 2026 |
| First Offense Fine | $100 |
| Subsequent Offense Fine | $200 |
| Distracted Driving Statistics | Over 20,000 collisions annually in SC |
| Allowed Exceptions | Mounting devices and hands-free calls |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Discover Greenville: A Hidden Gem in the South
South Carolina Considers Hands-Free Driving Legislation
Additional Resources
- Fox Carolina: SC Hands-Free Law Now in Effect
- Greenville Online: Driving with Cellphone in Hand Against the Law
- Greenville Journal: South Carolina’s New Hands-Free Driving Law Takes Effect
- WYFF4: Hands-Free Driving Law South Carolina
- Bluffton Today: South Carolina is Now a Hands-Free Driving State
- Wikipedia: Hands-Free Devices
- Google Search: South Carolina hands-free driving law
- Google Scholar: Distracted Driving Laws
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Distracted Driving
- Google News: South Carolina hands-free driving law
Author: STAFF HERE GREENVILLE
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