02/28/2026
We all need to read this!!
The South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act (often referred to as the hands-free driving law) officially shifts to full enforcement today, February 28, 2026. This follows a 180-day warning period that began when the law took effect on September 1, 2025.
The law builds on the state’s existing ban on texting while driving by prohibiting drivers from holding or physically supporting a mobile electronic device (like a phone) with any part of their body while operating a vehicle. This applies even at stoplights or in traffic—hands-free use (e.g., via Bluetooth, earpieces, or mounted devices for voice calls, navigation, etc.) is still allowed, but no handheld use.
• Lt. Kyle Golden from North Augusta Public Safety noted that phone use contributes to at least one significant crash per day in the city due to texting or general phone handling.
• Officers can pull over and ticket any driver visibly holding a phone.
Penalties (starting today):
• First offense: $100 fine.
• Second and subsequent offenses (typically within a three-year lookback period): $200 fine + 2 points on your driver’s license.
During the warning phase (September 2025 through February 27, 2026), nearly 12,000 warnings were issued statewide by the South Carolina Department of Public Safety and local agencies. This included 515 in Aiken County and 235 in Barnwell County, aimed at education rather than punishment.
If you’re driving today or anytime now, best to switch to hands-free mode or put the phone away completely to avoid a ticket.
