South Carolina Bans Phone Use While Driving, Law Begins in September 2025

Starting in September 2025, South Carolina drivers must keep their hands off phones. The state acted after federal officials threatened a $50 million loss to highway funds this year.

On May 12, 2025, Gov. Henry McMaster signed the new driving rules into law. 

"Public safety is the No. 1 issue for government. That's our job, to keep people safe," said Rep. Bill Taylor to the Aiken Standard.

A trip to Canada sparked Taylor's push for change. "When I got back home, I looked at her and said, 'You know we've been doing this most of our life, and it's really not safe,'" he said. 

That realization helped build momentum for what officials eventually named the Driving Under the Influence of Electronics Act in 2017. After years of revisions and growing support, the bill finally passed.

Studies by AAA show phone use makes crashes six times more likely than drunk driving. The state wants fewer wrecks on its roads.