South Carolina Senate Nixes Bill to Ban Handheld Phones While Driving

It appears that bill in South Carolina requiring anyone using a cellphone while driving to not hold the phone in their hands will not pass this year.

The Senate Transportation Committee decided Wednesday to not vote on the bill. It could still come up later in the session, but often that action sends a bill into limbo where it does not return.

The bill would require anyone making a cellphone call to use a Bluetooth device or have the phone in a dock and use the speaker. It does not prohibit one swipe to get the function to work. Text by voice would also be legal if the phone isn’t held.

On a first offense, the penalty would be a fine up to $150. The second offense in three years would add two points to someone’s license and a fine up to $300.

Opponents of the bill said the state already has a distracted driving law. Supporters said that usually only kicks in after a crash and the bill would prevent wrecks.

The House has passed a similar bill, and sponsor Rep. Bill Taylor said he thinks if the Senate ever gets on board it can become law.

The Aiken Republican said it’s sad lawmakers can’t take an easy step to save lives.

“Led by trial lawyers, it took only a few minutes of debate for a SC Senate Committee to drive the proposed `Hands Free’ legislation into the ditch,” Taylor wrote on his Facebook page.

Topics Personal Auto South Carolina Politics