Is it illegal to use talk to text while driving in SC? Here’s what the law says

Lyn Riddle
·2 min read

Is it legal to use the talk-to-text feature on your mobile phone while driving in South Carolina?

As long as you don’t have the phone in your hand, yes.

But texting with the phone in your hand is another matter. It’s been illegal since 2014 to text while driving.

State Rep. Bill Taylor thinks the law should be enhanced. He’s worked since 2017 to strengthen the law to prohibit holding the phone to do anything.

His bill will be considered again in the upcoming General Assembly session, which begins in January.

It would not ban using the talk to text feature.

Similar legislation passed the state Senate last year, but because the House did not act, will have to be taken up again in the new session.

Under existing law, if people are seen texting and driving by a law enforcement official, they face a $25 fine.

The new law would increase the fine to $100 first offense and $200 for subsequent offenses. It also would call for two points to be added to your license. At 12 points you lose your license.

Taylor said the proposal is simple — put the phone down.

He said representatives of organizations such as the National Transportation Safety Board, American Automobile Association, the SC Insurance Commissioner and the Highway Patrol have all spoken for the bill in legislative hearings.

The state Department of Public Safety reported that South Carolina averages two crashes every hour involving a distracted driver. In 2019, South Carolina reported 18,936 collisions where distracted driving contributed to the accident.

Nationally, distracted driving kills more than eight people and injures another 1,095 people every day.

Texting and driving is six times more dangerous than driving drunk and you are 90% more likely to have an accident when driving distracted, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said.

The South Carolina Department of Insurance has waged an anti-cell phone use effort and offers these suggestions:

  • Silence cell phones and put them out of reach before starting to drive.

  • Set GPS, radio, and climate control before you take your car out of park.

  • If you need to take your eyes off the wheel, wait until you’re completely stopped and in a safe location.

  • Ask yourself this: If you’re distracted, who’s driving?