Keeping drivers and other road users safe on the road continues to be a significant priority for federal and state policy and lawmakers. Specifically, reducing incidents of speeding and distracted driving is often the priority to be stamped out. A rise in efforts to do this has been seen across states, including creating harsher penalties for drivers who are caught breaking laws designed to protect drivers. Soon, drivers from this one state will be subject to a new driving law.
Creating a safe space for all drivers on the road
The challenge to ensure that all drivers are adhering to road safety policies and legislation has consistently been a battle for local and federal policymakers. Especially since the introduction of smartphones, combating distracted driving has remained a huge challenge, whereby drivers continue to use their phones while behind the wheel.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), taking your eyes off the road to answer a text, even for five seconds, is the equivalent of driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed, assuming a constant speed of 55mph. In addition to distracted driving, speeding remains one of the biggest contributors to road accident fatalities and serious injuries, with data from the NHTSA showcasing how approximately one-third of all road accident fatalities and serious injuries were thanks to a speeding driver in 2023.
To combat this, states have come down hard on their penalties for drivers who are caught breaking the law, which prohibits distracted and speeding driving practices. These initiatives include implementing higher traffic fines, which can amount to thousands of dollars as well as threatening the risk of jail-time if convicted for excessively breaking road traffic policies. Additionally, the use of automated camera technology is becoming increasingly prevalent across states in order to assist law enforcement with catching drivers who are breaking the law and endangering the lives of others.
New law for drivers in this state
Coming down hard on preventing distracted driving, the new Hands Free Law in the South Carolina State Government was recently passed for the 4 million licensed drivers in South Carolina and will go into effect in September of this year. From September 1, South Carolina drivers who are caught texting or scrolling on their phone while driving will be issued a warning for engaging in such practice, but from February 28, 2026, the state will begin fining drivers up to $200 for using their phone while driving.
“To see some of our people unnecessarily hurt, damaged, to see families suffer from acts of inattention, it’s something that’s just a crying shame,” said Gov. Henry McMaster.
From February 28 next year, first-time offenders will be issued a fine of $100 if caught violating the legislation, while repeat offenders will receive a fine of $200 as well as two points against their driver’s license.
Other states come down hard on this driving practice
South Carolina is not the only state coming down hard on drivers who are using their phones while driving. Recently, the state of Louisiana passed legislation which will see drivers who are caught using their phone while driving be fined between $100 and $250 if they are caught using their phone in a school or construction zone.
The state already has legislation that prohibits the use of texting while driving, whereby first-time offenders are fined $500 and subsequent violations carry a fine of up to $1,000. The state of California also has strict legislative measures in place regarding using your phone while driving. Recently, a judge in the state clarified that even holding your phone in your hand for navigation guidance is illegal. The phone must be mounted to your dashboard, and you may only use it for a hands-free call or navigation assistance.
