York County, SC – South Carolina drivers are officially on notice: if you’re caught holding your phone behind the wheel, you’re breaking the law starting today. The state’s new Hands-Free Law is now in effect, and officers are watching closely.
According to the York County Sheriff’s Office, the law makes it illegal to hold or support a phone with any part of the body while driving. That means no scrolling social media, no sending quick texts, and no sneaking in a video call while sitting in traffic. Even watching videos or playing games on your phone is off limits the moment you’re in control of a vehicle.
While the state has set a “grace period” until February 28, 2026, drivers should not assume they’re in the clear. Officers can and will pull people over for violations, though for now they will issue warnings instead of fines. Authorities say the warning period is meant to give drivers time to adjust, but they’ve made it clear enforcement will ramp up when penalties begin.
Distracted driving has been blamed for thousands of crashes across the country, and South Carolina officials say this law is about saving lives. “This is about changing behavior before tragedy strikes,” law enforcement leaders have repeatedly stressed.
Drivers are urged to use Bluetooth or dashboard mounts if they need to make calls, or safely pull over before touching their phones. Those who ignore the law risk more than just a ticket — they risk being part of the next deadly statistic.
Will the new law change habits, or will drivers keep sneaking a glance at their screens? Law enforcement says the choice is yours — but the warnings won’t last forever.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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