03/05/2026
HANDS FREE CITATIONS BEGIN FEB 28
Just a friendly reminder: the 180-day grace period for the Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Law ends today and citations will begin on Saturday, February 28. The law, which took effect on September 1, 2025, aims to reduce the number of distracted driving collisions on South Carolina roads. Under the Hands-Free and Distracted Driving law, drivers are not allowed to:
Hold or support a mobile device with any part of their body. (This does not prohibit the use of an earpiece or device worn on the wrist used for voice-based communication.)
Use a mobile device to read, compose, or transmit texts, emails, app interactions, or website information.
Watch motion on a mobile device, including a video, movie, game, or video call.
Drivers found in violation of these terms will be issued a $100 fine for their first offense, and a $200 fine and two points on their driving record for subsequent offenses. In the past 180 days, deputies have issued hundreds of warnings to Georgetown County residents for driving while holding their cell phones.
For a full transcript of the law, visit: https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t56c005.php #56-5-3890
