Mount Pleasant police are ramping up enforcement of South Carolina’s new hands-free driving law, which prohibits holding any electronic device while a vehicle is in motion. Officers emphasize “phones down, eyes up” to curb distracted driving crashes.
Law Key Rules
Drivers cannot physically hold, support, or interact with phones for texting, calls, scrolling, or apps—even briefly picking it up—unless lawfully parked, at a complete stop (like a red light), or in emergencies. Hands-free options like Bluetooth, mounts, or vehicle systems are permitted.
Enforcement and Penalties
Effective September 1, 2025, with warnings through February 28, 2026, full citations began March 1: $100 first offense (Mount Pleasant: $232 total with fees); $200 plus 2 license points for repeats within three years. A ride-along revealed six stops in an hour for violations.
Safety Rationale
Distracted driving ranks among top crash causes; Sgt. Robert Bedard cited a fatal pileup from a driver on a dating app. Modern cars’ built-in tech reduces handling needs, and officials stress that notifications can wait to prevent tragedies.
