The South Carolina Legislature has been enforcing new laws and policies for phone usage. They are both working to prevent accidents on the road and improve students’ grades in school.
The State Agencies of South Carolina has also enforced the hands-free law. Phones should not be in your hand while the vehicle is moving. There are some exceptions to this law. For example, the hands-free law allows you to place it in a phone holder, but you can’t be actively on it.
The hands-free law keeps drivers from being distracted while driving. If someone were to break this law, there is a first offense fine of $100. The second offense (within three years) is a fine of $200 and two points on the driving record. Many accidents are caused by texting and driving. The hands-free law does not prohibit the use of an earpiece or an Apple watch used for voice-based communication. This law has been enforced since January 1, 2025.
An injury law firm Edgar Snyder and Associates shares, “Approximately 1.6 million crashes are caused annually by drivers using cell phones and texting.”
Junior Emma Locklear shares, “The new law definitely makes driving safer because it’s a burden, but I’ve been in an accident because of someone’s phone.”
This school year, the South Carolina Legislature also enforced a new policy that students will not be allowed to have their phones on them or in their bags. There are some exceptions to this policy. This new cell phone policy is very strict. Students are to not have their phone in their pockets, hand, bag or desk. It must be put in a designated spot that a teacher has chosen. Although this policy is very strict, there are some exceptions. Having it for a specific class that it is needed for, such as taking pictures for newspaper or yearbook, necessary.
Junior Jakarius Ramsey shares, “Students’ grades have improved. It has helped actively listening and actually hearing what’s happening around me instead of being stuck to a screen.”
Yahoo News says, “A new survey from the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) showed more than 90% of teachers who participated in the survey said students were focusing more on instruction since the policy was put in place.”
Mr. James West, one of our business teachers, commented, “My opinion on the new cell phone policy is it’s a state law, and we have to follow the rules whether we agree or disagree with it. I would rather students use their phone in a responsible manner, just like they would do at their place of work. But I do think it helps classroom management and students seem to be getting used to the new rule. So overall, I think it probably helps improve their grade.”
By reinforcing South Carolina’s hands-free law with school policies that limit cell phone use, communities send a clear message that safety and focus come first – both on the road and in the classroom.
