After eight years of pushing for a hands-free driving law in South Carolina, Rep. Bill Taylor finally saw his bill pass in the House on Wednesday — and he says a little pressure may have helped.
Taylor told fellow lawmakers that the federal government had warned it might withhold up to $50 million in highway funding if the state didn’t join the majority of the country in banning drivers from holding cellphones while on the road.
That warning seemed to do the trick, as the bill passed with strong support in an 85-25 vote. Most of the opposition came from Republicans who felt the measure was yet another instance of government overreach.
The proposal now moves to the Senate, where it has previously received broad support, according to the Associated Press.
“They’re driving blind. They’re not watching the road,” said Taylor, a Republican who’s been pushing the bill for nearly a decade. “They’re six times more dangerous than drunk drivers. This has to stop.” He added that he even gave up riding his motorcycle due to the rising number of distracted drivers.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, South Carolina and North Carolina are the only East Coast states that still allow drivers to physically hold their phones. Most of the states without such bans are located in the central U.S.
Importantly, the bill doesn’t completely ban cellphone use while driving. Drivers can still use their phones hands-free — via Bluetooth, a cradle, or even a cupholder.
The penalties are modest: a $100 fine for a first offense and $200 for each subsequent offense. For the first six months after the law takes effect, officers will only issue warnings.
Originally, Taylor wanted a first offense to also add two points to a driver’s record, which could impact insurance rates. But lawmakers removed that part, fearing it would result in higher costs for drivers.
Still, Taylor hopes the Senate reinstates the points system. “Honestly, it should be six points because this is dangerous, even deadly driving,” he said.