Despite the known dangers, distracted driving continues to be one of the leading causes of car accidents across the nation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, distracted driving contributes to approximately nine fatalities and over 1,000 injury reports each day. South Carolina has only recently taken action to address this problem, so numerous residents have had to seek counsel from a personal injury attorney after being involved in a collision with a distracted driver. Knowing the following state laws will not only protect you from harm and legal action but also help you establish liability should another driver hit you.

What to Know About Distracted Driving Laws in SC

What Constitutes Distracted Driving 

Distracted driving is considered to be any activity that takes your eyes off the road, your mind off of driving, or your hands off the steering wheel. Some of the most common types of distractions include texting or talking on the phone, eating, grooming, adjusting the radio, setting the navigation system, and engaging with passengers. When reaction time is crucial, it only takes a couple of seconds of a driver’s attention being diverted for a major accident to take place.

Laws Regarding Handheld Devices 

In 2014, South Carolina legislation made it illegal for motorists to text and drive. The law bans drivers from reading or sending messages while operating a vehicle, but it is not a violation to make phone calls, utilize the GPS, or use voice-activated messaging. Additionally, texts can still be sent when waiting at a red light or in emergency situations. Since drivers are not prohibited from holding their phones, it can be quite challenging to prove someone was texting at the time of an accident. Personal injury attorneys often use the full range of their investigation skills and resources to make a case for their clients. 

Distracted Driving Penalties 

Another reason distracted driving is a problem in South Carolina is because the fines are unreasonably low. The penalty for a first offense of texting and driving is $25, and the fine for subsequent offenses increases only slightly. There are also no points added to a driver’s record for distracted driving, which means they don’t suffer the consequence of higher insurance premiums or license suspensions. As a result, motorists don’t have much reason not to text and drive, and personal injury attorneys continue to see many car accident claims being filed.

Distracted driving is a serious issue on South Carolina’s roadways. If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence behind the wheel, the Law Offices of Adrian L. Falgione, LLC will help you navigate this difficult time. Since 1989, Mr. Falgione has been fighting to protect the rights of injury victims located throughout the Midlands area. With him as your personal injury attorney, your chances of recovering maximum damages will increase significantly. To review the details of your case, call (803) 957-6543. You can also visit the firm online for more information on the legal services offered.