South Carolina drivers now must follow a new law that requires them to go completely hands free behind the wheel.

The "Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act" was signed into law by Gov. Henry McMaster in May 2025 and defines a mobile electronic device as a cellphone, portable computer, GPS receiver, electronic game or any device substantially similar.

Starting Sept. 1, drivers on public roads are not allowed to hold or support, read, text or watch videos on the aforementioned devices.

This act does not prohibit the use of earpieces or devices worn on the wrist that help conduct voice-based communication, according to the bill.

Under the previous law, texting while driving was banned, but this new law restricts any physical phone use, including resting the phone in your lap.

First-time offenders will be fined $100. Two or more offenses will cost $200 and add two points to the driver's license.

Once in effect, there will be a six-month grace period where law enforcement will issue warnings until February 2026, giving drivers time to adjust.

According to South Carolina Department of Public Safety, distracted or inattentive driving is listed as a top contributing factor in more than 20,000 traffic accidents each year in the state. Nationally, eight percent of fatal crashes, 12% of injury-related crashes and 11% of all police-reported traffic accidents in 2022 were reported as distraction-affected traffic crashes.

"Just five seconds of distraction at 55 mph is equivalent to driving the entire length of a football field with your eyes closed," according to SCDPS website.

To read more about the new law, visit https://tinyurl.com/3st4f3x5.