Fines for Ignoring S.C. Hands-Free Driving Law Begin Feb. 28

Kelly Willenberg/S.C. Daily Gazette

South Carolina’s new Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act marks one of the most consequential shifts in the state’s traffic laws in years, and it deserves both applause and scrutiny.

The law’s rollout included a 180‑day warning period during which citations were not issued, but starting on Feb. 28, 2026, citations will be issued.

Over the past few months, giving drivers time to adjust to the new law was prudent, and it also gave law enforcement time to educate rather than punish.

But once enforcement begins this coming month, the message will be unmistakable.

As Gov. Henry McMaster put it, the law “makes it clear that when you’re driving that vehicle, you’ve got to have your hands on the wheel.”

That clarity matters. Ambiguous laws do not save lives; enforceable ones do.

For years, South Carolina has ranked among the most dangerous states for drivers.

The old texting‑while‑driving ban was so narrow and toothless that it was nearly unenforceable.

Officers had to prove a driver was specifically texting — not scrolling, not dialing, not watching a video. The result? A law that looked good on paper but did little to change behavior.

When my husband was hit and killed in 2017, the law was minimal. The distracted driver who hit him is jailed due to leaving the scene, resulting in death.

The hands‑free law that took effect last September finally acknowledges reality: distraction is distraction, no matter what app or screen causes it.

By prohibiting drivers from holding or propping up any electronic device — including phones, tablets, GPS units, and gaming devices — the state is aligning with what safety experts have been saying for a decade.

The real challenge isn’t legal; it’s cultural.

South Carolinians, like most Americans, have grown accustomed to treating their cars as mobile offices, entertainment centers, and communication hubs. The idea of not touching a phone for 20 minutes can feel like an unreasonable burden to some.

But the burden of inaction has been far worse.

Distracted driving has contributed to thousands of crashes, injuries, and deaths across the state. The new law forces a collective recalibration: driving is a full‑attention activity, not a multitasking opportunity.

Critics argue that the law is anti‑technology or unrealistic. But the legislation does not ban navigation apps, music streaming, or hands‑free calling. It simply requires drivers to use them

responsibly — mounted, voice‑activated, or integrated into the vehicle’s system.

In other words, the law is not anti‑phone. It is anti‑recklessness.

South Carolina’s hands‑free law is a meaningful step toward safer roads, but it should not be the final one. Public education campaigns, infrastructure improvements, and continued data collection will be essential to measure the law’s impact and refine it over time.

Still, this moment matters.

After years of debate, hesitation, and rising crash numbers, South Carolina has chosen to prioritize human life over convenience.

That is not just good policy. It is moral clarity. My husband died needlessly with hands on a cellphone.

Let us begin with awareness of a law that will save lives! #doitfordale #handsfreesc

Kelly Willenberg, who holds a doctorate in business administration, has owned Kelly Willenberg & Associates for nearly 17 years. As a registered nurse with over 40 years of experience, she leads a company that works in clinical research and health care compliance. Willenberg was appointed by the governor to the state's Small Business Regulatory Review Committee in 2019. She has been active on both locally and nationally in advancing hands-free legislation since 2017, when her husband was tragically killed in a hit-and-run cycling accident. Working with Prisma Health’s Upstate and Midland Foundations, she established the Dale A Willenberg Congenital Heart Disease Endowment, funding Camp Heart to Heart, and the Norton Family Point of Care Ultrasound Program. She lives in Greenville.