A NEW Hands-Free Law goes into effect today – with motorists risking heavy fines if they fail to follow the rules.
Drivers in a major US state are now banned from holding or handling their phones while behind the wheel, starting from September 1.
A new touch law goes into effect from today in South Carolina with drivers risking heavy fines[/caption]
Motorists will now need to use hands-free methods, such as voice activation, phone mounts or earpieces[/caption]
$100 fines with be handed out initially, but subsequent offenses within three years will incur a $200 fine[/caption]
According to WTOC, motorists in South Carolina will now need to use hands-free methods, such as voice activation, phone mounts or earpieces, for phone use while driving.
There are a handful of exceptions, which include using phones while parked or stopped, reporting emergencies or for navigation and audio purposes without holding the device.
First responders are also exempt while on duty.
Those caught violating the new law will be slapped with fines and points on their driver’s license, with the first offense carrying a $100 fine.
Subsequent offenses within three years will incur a $200 fine and two points on their record.
There is some respite for drivers though, as for the first 180 days or six months of the new law, agencies will merely issue warnings for violations.
However, after that, they will start issuing fines and tickets.
The law aims to create a cultural shift in favor of safer driving habits to protect both drivers and others on the road.
South Carolina isn’t the only state to introduce this particular law, as Pennsylvania brought in the so-called ‘Paul Miller’s law’ back in June.
Their interpretation also bans drivers using their phone while waiting at a stop light, with those caught breaking the law risking a written warning.
However, much like Louisiana, a grace period is currently underway and fines won’t be handed out until June 2026.
Iowa also has their own hands-free law, which came into force on July 1.
They have also introduced a grace period before fines are enforced, with fines coming from January 2026 – starting at $100.
Louisana brought in a similar version of the law last month as well, with fines starting at $100 but rising to $250 if drivers are caught violating the law within a school zone or construction area.
This comes as authorities in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, are set to adjust the speed limit on the city’s most dangerous road.
Starting from September 15, a 60-day grace period will help motorists adjust to the law change – before fines of $100 come into force.
Broad Street, which stretches from North Philadelphia to the Philadelphia Navy Yard in South Philadelphia has become infamous for its danger, with a 2024 report identifying the road as the most dangerous in Philadelphia – with 14 fatalities reported that year.
To rectify this, the city plans to install speed cameras across 14 key locations along the road, following the success of similar measures on nearby Roosevelt Boulevard.
How to spot a fake parking ticket
Thieves sometimes go to great lengths to squeeze money from drivers
With parking ticket scams on the rise, it’s important to know how to tell the difference between a bogus ticket and a legitimate one.
Many parking enforcement agencies, like those employed by cities, will never ask people to pay for their tickets via apps like Venmo, PayPal, or Zelle.
A QR code should always make drivers cautious, as many times they lead to fake payment websites built by scammers to access banking or personal information.
It’s also wise to pay close attention to logos, as some scammers will even use fake logos close enough to a city’s official logo fooling those who don’t look closely.
Emails or text messages regarding parking citations should always be ignored, as most parking enforcement agencies will never use those mediums to collect a debt.
Other helpful tips for spotting false citations:
- Do some research on the lot you’re parking in, as signs are legally required to be posted to inform drivers on who is enforcing parking rules.
- Carefully examine the citation for any flaws – misspellings, incorrect logos, links, QR codes, etc.
- Evaluate the contact information on the ticket. Websites that belong to cities will always end in either .gov.
- Finally, pay with a card, as disputing an illegal charge is easier. Avoid mailing checks or cash to a suspect parking ticket.
- Look at a city’s ticketing database to double-check that you’ve been cited by an official.
Source: CBS affiliate WHNT
