Drive ‘hands-free’ or be fined

By Ruben Lowman

South Carolina’s six-month grace period for the Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act officially ended at the beginning of this month.

Drivers in Horry County and all across the Palmetto State are now subject to active enforcement and financial penalties rather than the warning citations that have been issued since the law was first enacted in September 2025.

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety confirmed that first-time offenders will receive a $100 fine. Those caught a second time or more face a $200 fine and will have two points added to their driver’s license.

These penalties apply to any driver caught holding or supporting a mobile electronic device with any part of their body.

The law specifically prohibits reading, composing or sending any text-based communication, including emails and social media interactions. It also bans watching videos, playing games or participating in video calls while operating a vehicle.

Data from the South Carolina Highway Patrol indicates that the warning period was heavily utilized. Statewide, troopers issued nearly 5,000 warning citations over the last six months.

In Horry County alone, 580 warnings were recorded. The broader Troop Five region, which includes Horry, Georgetown and Florence counties, saw a total of 1,161 warnings during the educational phase of the rollout.

The law does include specific exceptions for motorists to remain compliant while using technology.

Drivers are permitted to use hands-free or voice-activated features, including dashboard-mounted devices for navigation, music or podcasts, provided they do not hold the device.

Wrist-worn devices and earpieces used for voice-based communication are also allowed. Drivers may still use a handheld device to report traffic accidents, medical emergencies or hazardous road conditions to authorities.

Law enforcement officials clarified that while a device can be used when a vehicle is lawfully parked, using a phone while stopped at a red light is a violation once the vehicle begins to move.

First responders are exempt from these restrictions while performing official duties.

The stated goal of the transition to active fines is to reduce distracted driving collisions, which the state categorized into three types – visual, manual and cognitive.