The South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act will go into effect on September 1, 2025, and will mark the beginning of a new age of driving safety in South Carolina. This important law makes it illegal for drivers to hold or support a mobile electronic device with any part of their body while driving. South Carolina is now the 33rd U.S. state to pass a hands-free law. This is part of a nationwide campaign to stop the rising number of crashes caused by people driving while distracted.
Why the New Law is So Important
Scary numbers show how important this law is. The South Carolina Department of Public Safety says that more than 20,000 crashes happen every year because people are driving while distracted. The Mirror US described Robert Woods, the Director of Public Safety, as claiming that the new law is about “saving lives.” He said that driving requires a person’s undivided concentration and that while the public is being given time to adjust, enforcement will become “strict soon.”
Governor Henry McMaster agreed with this and said that even though the legislation is founded on “common sense,” people often need to be reminded to follow it. The main purpose of the law is to make South Carolina’s roads safer for everyone by lowering the number of accidents and injuries.
What is not allowed and what is still okay
The new law covers a lot of ground and makes a lot of things illegal. Reports say that drivers will not be able to do the following if the law goes into effect:
Holding or supporting a cell phone or something like it with any part of their body.
Sending, reading, or writing text messages, emails, or app communications.
Watching videos, making video calls, or playing games on your phone.
But the regulation doesn’t completely stop people from using mobile devices. It makes several allowances for using it hands-free. Drivers can still use their phones for the following:
You can make calls and respond to texts using your voice.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are examples of integrated automobile systems.
You can listen to music or use navigation as long as you don’t hold the device.
Calling for help in an emergency to report accidents or safety problems.
Use by first responders when they are doing their jobs.
Officials suggest that drivers install a phone mount, use Bluetooth or voice command functions, and set up their GPS or music before they go.
Time to Warn and Punish
The new regulation gives people 180 days to get used to the fact that they need to adjust their driving behavior. From September 1, 2025, to February 28, 2026, police will only give drivers warnings if they break the law.
Starting on February 28, 2026, all rules will be strictly enforced and punishments will be given.
The first time you do it, you have to pay a $100 fine.
For a second or later offense, the driver will have to pay a $200 fine and get two points on their license.
Getting points on your driver’s license can cause your insurance costs to go up and have other long-term effects on your finances. This is a disincentive that politicians believe will help people follow the rules.