Clarendon County had nine reported hands-free driving citations during the first 30 days of enforcement under South Carolina’s new Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Law, placing it among the lower totals statewide, according to data released Monday by the South Carolina Department of Public Safety.
The county-by-county report released by SCDPS covers citations issued from Feb. 28 through March 29, the first month after the state’s six-month warning period ended and full enforcement began.
Statewide, law enforcement agencies reported 3,495 hands-free citations during that period. Of those, 1,994 citations were issued by SCDPS agencies — including the South Carolina Highway Patrol, State Transport Police and Bureau of Protective Services — while 1,501 citations were issued by other law enforcement agencies.
SCDPS noted, however, that other law enforcement agencies have until the 10th of each month to report their totals, meaning county-by-county numbers may still change as additional reports are submitted.
Even with that caveat, Clarendon’s reported total ranked among the lower numbers in the state.
The highest reported totals were in Charleston County with 470 citations, Spartanburg County with 464 and Horry County with 345.
The lowest reported totals were in McCormick County with one citation, Calhoun County with two and Allendale County with four.
Several surrounding counties reported higher totals than Clarendon, including Sumter County with 62 citations, Florence County with 47, Williamsburg County with 42 and Lee County with 14.
South Carolina’s hands-free law prohibits drivers from holding or supporting a mobile device with any part of their body while reading or sending texts or emails, browsing websites or social media, watching videos, or making phone or video calls.
Exceptions include using a mobile device while legally parked or stopped, using a device in hands-free mode, and listening to audio content as long as the driver is not physically holding the device. Law enforcement officers and first responders are also exempt while performing official duties.
SCDPS said the statewide totals reflect the first 30 days of enforcement after a six-month warning period that began when the law took effect in September 2025.
More information about the law is available at scdps.sc.gov/handsfree.
