“Hands-Free” driving law now in effect

Scrolling and driving is now illegal in South Carolina starting this month as our state’s new “Hands-Free” driving law is now in effect.

For the first six months of the law’s enactment, anyone stopped for holding a cellphone in their hand while driving - whether talking, texting, or watching videos -- will receive a warning. But, starting February 28, 2026 violaters will be handed a very costly ticket.

It is expected the new law will prompt significant changes in driving habits across the state. Therefore, SC Public Safety Director Robert Woods is planning to implement a major public information program over to warn drivers about the new law and penalties.

My good friend in the SC House, Representative Bill Taylor of Aiken, has been working on getting this “hands-free” legislation passed over the past eight years since he first introduced it in the spring of 2017.

It has been somewhat surprising that Representative Taylor’s pending legislation received such resistance from special interest groups, but he has persevered. South Carolina was one of only two East Coast states (along with North Carolina) without a hands-free law.

Because I drive so much back and forth to Columbia, I am well aware of the danger from distracted drivers looking at their cell phones in their hands. I honestly think it has become epidemic in South Carolina. It’s about time it’s no longer tolerated as the status quo.

Statewide polls even indicate that more than 80% of South Carolinians support this new legislation. Nationwide statistics show that more than 325,000 people were injured in motor vehicle accidents involving distracted drivers in about 1.6 million accidents.

South Carolina officials, including SC Governor Henry McMaster, gathered last month at the Statehouse to celebrate South Carolina becoming the 33rd state in the USA to enact such a cell phone law.

Governor McMaster noted: “It’s just common sense, but sometimes it takes a law to remind everybody of common sense.”

The Department of Transportation will soon be installing signs along state roads and displaying messages on digital displays along Interstates. Educational messages will also appear across various media platforms. For the first 180 days, law enforcement will issue warnings only. After that, violations will be enforced with $100 fines for first offenses and $200 fines plus two points on your driver’s license thereafter.

The new law prohibits drivers from using “mobile electronic devices” while operating a motor vehicle in the following ways:
• Holding a phone to your ear or resting it on your lap or shoulder. (Note that: Bluetooth earpieces, smartwatches, or a vehicle’s built-in audio system are permitted).
• Reading, composing or sending texts, emails or interacting with apps and websites.
• Watching videos, playing games, or engaging in video calls.

What is allowed includes: Voice calls or voice to text via Bluetooth, earpiece or dashboard systems without holding the device; Navigation or audio content as long as the device is not held. Emergency use such as calling 911 to report an accident or hazard.

Jeff Bradley is the representative for District 123 in the State House of Representatives.