Hands-free Driving Law in South Carolina
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New Hands-Free Driving Law in South Carolina: What You Need to Know
Starting September 1, 2025, the hands-free driving law South Carolina drivers have been anticipating officially goes into effect. The law requires motorists to stay completely hands-free behind the wheel — a step toward reducing distracted driving, which remains one of the leading causes of serious crashes and injuries across the state.
At The Williams Firm, our Orangeburg personal injury lawyers are committed to keeping the community informed about new laws that impact roadway safety. Here’s what you need to know about how the hands-free law works, what’s allowed, and what’s not.
Why This Hands-free Driving Law in South Carolina Matters
Distracted driving causes thousands of preventable injuries and deaths every year in South Carolina. Even a quick glance at a text or scrolling through a playlist can lead to devastating consequences.
This new hands-free law is designed to make roads safer for everyone — drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians. Following it not only helps you avoid penalties but also protects lives.
If you’re injured by a distracted driver, an experienced Orangeburg personal injury lawyer can help you understand your rights and pursue fair compensation.
Enforcement Details
Here’s what you should know about enforcement when the hands-free driving law South Carolina takes effect:
📅 Effective Date: September 1, 2025
🚓 Primary Offense: Police can pull you over solely for using your phone or device while driving
This means even holding your phone briefly — at a red light or while stopped in traffic — can lead to fines or citations.
What’s Allowed Under the Hands-Free Law
Drivers can still use their phones or devices hands-free, such as through:
- Voice commands (like Siri or Google Assistant)
- Devices mounted to the dashboard or windshield
- Bluetooth earpieces or smartwatches for calls
✅ One-touch activation is permitted, but drivers must keep their focus on the road at all time
What’s Not Allowed
You cannot use your hands to:
- Hold or support a phone or device
- Text, email, or send messages
- Scroll social media, watch videos, or video chat
Even holding your phone in your lap or on your shoulder counts as a violation under the new law.
Why This Change Is Important
South Carolina’s new law brings the state up to national safety standards — and aims to drastically reduce distracted driving crashes.
For drivers, it’s a reminder that every message or notification can wait. For victims of distracted driving, it offers stronger evidence to hold negligent drivers accountable.
If you’ve been injured in a crash caused by a distracted driver, The Williams Firm can help. Our Orangeburg and Columbia SC personal injury lawyers handle accident claims with care and experience, fighting for full and fair compensation.
Contact us today for a consultation and let us help you get the justice you deserve.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Viewing or engaging with this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different.
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