SOUTH CAROLINA (WJBF)- Starting September 1, drivers in South Carolina cannot touch their phones at all while driving.
The new hands free law means that while you’re operating a vehicle you cannot use a mobile device to read, write or send texts or emails, watch videos, play games, or engage in video calls.
You can still make hands-free calls and use navigation if you have a phone holder for your car.
“Distracted drivers are driving blind. They aren’t even looking at the road. Therefore, anything can happen within 1, 2, 3, 5 seconds. You can be off the road. Hit another car. Hit a tree. It’s horrible,” explained Bill Taylor, South Carolina District 86 Representative and sponsor of the law.
Some drivers agree it’s necessary.
“I think it’s a good thing. People need to be focused more on the road to stay out of the phone. It’s going to save lives. And it could be your own or could be someone else’s,” said Antonio Roberts.
Others have mixed feelings.
“The texting piece I can understand, right? Because you don’t need to be texting and taking your eyes off the road,” Teresa Ivey said. “But then also, if you have it in there, if you’re, like answering a call or something like that, or even if you’re at a stoplight, and you’re answering a call, I don’t see what the issue is.”
Many wonder if hands free laws are enforceable.
“Unless you’re going to look at everybody that’s driving down the street, which I know in some states they do have cameras now that catch you doing illegal acts and then send you a ticket. And are we going to get to that point?” wondered Ivey.
“I think that they should also enforce it even more. I see a lot of times, you know, you can pull up beside someone and they’re on the phone or doing makeup,” Roberts said.
Ivey agrees with the need for the law, but she worries it gives law enforcement another reason to pull people over. She told NewsChannel 6 that as the mother of African American sons, she is concerned that the new law may increase those tensions with police.
“Making sure that they understand if they should get pulled over, just comply with the officer. Because my thing is, I just taught my boys that I just want you to make it home,” she explained.
There will be a 6 month grace period so drivers can get used to the hands free law.
Starting in February it will be a $100 fine for a first offense. A second offense within three years will cost drivers $200 and points on their license.
Photojournalist: Gary Hipps.
