South Carolina’s Hands-Free Law in Full Effect as 100 Deadly Days of Summer Begin
May 25, 2026
Memorial Day marks the start of the 100 Deadly Days of Summer, and the South Carolina Department of Public Safety is urging drivers to put the phone down before getting behind the wheel.
Under South Carolina’s Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act, which took effect Sept. 1, 2025, it is illegal to hold or support a mobile device with any part of the body while operating a motor vehicle. The law expanded on the state’s previous texting-and-driving restrictions, which only prohibited composing, sending, or reading text messages while driving.
“Each year, Memorial Day is the start of what we call the 100 Deadly Days of Summer, which is the busy travel period through Labor Day when we typically see an increase in traffic fatalities in South Carolina,” said SCDPS Director Robert G. Woods IV.
Violations carry both financial and licensing consequences. A first offense results in a $100 fine, while a second or subsequent offense within a three-year period carries a $200 fine and two points assessed against the driver’s record. Those points can trigger higher insurance premiums and, if accumulated, a license suspension.
Commercial Driver’s License holders face steeper consequences, as two convictions within three years while operating a commercial motor vehicle could result in a 60-day CDL disqualification.
The law allows certain exceptions, including for drivers who are lawfully parked or stopped, using devices in voice-activated or hands-free mode, or listening to audio such as music, navigation, or podcasts without holding the device. Reporting emergencies, accidents, or hazardous conditions is also permitted.
During the 100 Deadly Days period, South Carolina Highway Patrol troopers and State Transport Police officers will conduct special enforcement with emphasis on distracted driving and hands-free violations, alongside impaired driving, speeding, aggressive driving, and seatbelt usage.
State data shows distracted or inattentive drivers contribute to more than 20,000 crashes in South Carolina each year, many resulting in serious injuries or fatalities.
Residents are encouraged to mount devices before driving, use Bluetooth or voice-activated features, and pull safely off the roadway before handling a phone. More information on the hands-free law is available at scdps.sc.gov/handsfree.
Photo source: SC Department of Public Safety
