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.
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