Texting while driving is incredibly dangerous and leads to hundreds of accidents every year. Some of them are deadly. In South Carolina, like many other states, there are distracted driving laws that make it illegal to text while driving. While there are a few exceptions to the law, it’s important to remember that driving with distractions is not only dangerous for you, but for other drivers around you on the road. There can be penalties like fines or even tickets for using your phone to text, but the consequences of a wreck could be far worse. Hopefully, you can avoid the temptation to text while behind the wheel so that you can keep everybody safer on the road.
Texting While Driving in South Carolina: Distracted Driving Laws
The Dangers
Texting while driving can easily lead to accidents on the road. Driving requires all of your concentration. Crashes can happen in a split second, so doing anything that causes you to pull your eyes away from the road, even for an instant, are incredibly dangerous. The National Safety Council estimates that around
1.6 million accidents are caused each year by drivers using their phones behind the wheel.
Distracted Driving Laws
In South Carolina, like many states, there are distracted driving laws that cover texting while driving. While it is illegal to use your phone to send texts while on the road, you are still able to use it to make calls as long as they are hands-free. However, it’s important to research the rules in your area. Some states prohibit any cell phone use at all. The distracted driving laws in South Carolina also cover things like applying makeup while driving, shaving, or eating.
Exceptions to the Law
While it’s illegal to be texting while driving, there are a few exceptions to the rule. If you are legally parked and at a stop, you can text. Additionally, if you are using texting hands-free or texting to summon emergency services. Finally, you can use your phone if it’s for navigation purposes. However, remember that this is still dangerous. Even if you aren’t technically sending a text, using your phone in any way is just as dangerous. Whether that’s adjusting your music or looking up the nearest gas station on your GPS.
Penalties
The legal repercussions for texting while driving are typically fines or ticketing. However, if you are at fault for causing an accident, you might be liable for more serious charges. For example, reckless driving. It’s important to remember that the consequences could be incredibly serious for texting while driving, even if the fines are not extreme. An
accident could lead to thousands of dollars in medical bills or repair work. Not to mention the lives you put in danger.
Texting while driving is very dangerous because it forces you to take your eyes away from the road. Even momentary lapses in judgment can lead to serious consequences when driving. Many states have distracted driving laws in place to protect other vehicles from drivers who are texting or engaging in other activities. While there are a few situations where it’s legal to text, it’s best to pull over safely and stop your car before using your phone. Otherwise, you might be liable for a ticket or fines. Or, in the worst-case scenario, you could cause an accident that puts your safety at risk as well as the safety of other drivers on the road.
