COLUMBIA, S.C. — Thousands of South Carolina drivers were cited during a recent five-day enforcement campaign aimed at cracking down on distracted driving and failures to move over for roadside emergency vehicles.
Operation “Keep Us Safe”
The campaign, dubbed Operation Keep Us Safe, ran from September 15 through 19 and was launched following a string of serious roadside incidents in August, including the death of Trooper First Class Dennis Ricks, who was struck and killed during a traffic stop. Two other troopers narrowly avoided similar tragedies just weeks earlier.
Led by the South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP) in partnership with the State Transport Police and local law enforcement agencies, the operation specifically targeted violations of the state’s Move Over Law and newly enacted Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act.
Citation Breakdown
According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety:
- 2,383 citations for Move Over violations were issued statewide.
- 1,766 from the Highway Patrol
- 49 from the State Transport Police
- The remainder from municipal and county agencies
- 152 warnings were issued for violations of the Hands-Free Law, which went into effect September 1. Officers will issue warnings until February 28, 2026, after which fines will apply.
What the Laws Require
The Move Over Law, enacted in 2002, requires drivers to switch lanes away from stopped emergency, tow, or utility vehicles if safe to do so. If a lane change is not possible, drivers must slow down significantly and proceed with caution. Violations are misdemeanors punishable by fines ranging from $300 to $500.
The Hands-Free Act prohibits drivers from holding or supporting a phone or mobile device with any part of the body. Texting, emailing, video calling, and social media use while driving are banned, though dashboard mounts and earpieces are allowed. After the warning period ends, fines will be $100 for a first offense and $200 plus two license points for repeat offenses within three years.
Officials Urge Caution
Col. Christopher Williamson, commander of the SCHP, stressed the importance of the initiative: “Put down the cell phones, pay attention to the roadways, slow down, and do not forget to move over when you see flashing lights.”…