COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina House of Representatives has approved a bill requiring drivers to use hands-free devices when operating a vehicle, moving the state closer to joining the majority of the nation in prohibiting handheld cellphone use while driving.
The bill, known as the “South Carolina Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act,” passed with an 85-25 vote and now heads to the Senate for consideration. If enacted, the law would ban drivers from holding a cellphone while driving but would still allow the use of devices through Bluetooth or speaker phone mode. First-time offenders would face a $100 fine, with subsequent offenses resulting in a $200 fine. During the initial six months after the law takes effect, law enforcement would issue warnings instead of fines.
Currently, South Carolina and North Carolina are the only East Coast states without a hands-free driving law according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.
