In the first month that South Carolina began enforcing its new “hands‑free” law—banning drivers from holding a phone while behind the wheel—law enforcement statewide issued nearly 3,400 citations between February 28 and March 29, 2026. The crackdown highlights how common phone use behind the wheel still is, even after a six‑month warning period.
Where the most tickets were issued
- Charleston County: 470 citations (430 by local agencies, 30 by South Carolina Department of Public Safety/SCDPS).
- Spartanburg County: 464 citations (240 by SCDPS, 224 by others).
- Richland County: 184 citations.
- Lexington County: 141 citations.
SCDPS (including the Highway Patrol, State Transport Police, and Bureau of Protective Services) issued 1,994 tickets, while other local agencies issued 1,501, for a combined 3,395 citations in that initial month.
What the law bans
The law prohibits drivers from holding a mobile device with any part of their body to:
- Send or read texts or emails.
- Browse websites or social media.
- Watch videos or movies.
- Take calls.
Exceptions include:
- Using the phone in hands‑free mode.
- Listening to audio without holding the device.
- Operating the phone while legally parked or stopped.
Law enforcement and first responders are exempt while on official duty.
Fines and safety context
- First offense: $100 fine.
- Second or subsequent offense within three years: $200 fine and 2 points on the driver’s record.
The South Carolina Department of Public Safety notes that distracted driving causes over 20,000 crashes per year in the state, and nationally, more than 3,000 people die each year in crashes tied to distraction. South Carolina ranks seventh in the U.S. for “worst drivers,” and the state averages about two crashes per hour involving distracted drivers, with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration saying texting while driving is six times more dangerous than drunk driving.
Officials say the citation numbers are expected to improve over time as drivers adjust to the hands‑free requirement.
