Media Advisory - Media availability for SC Highway Patrol troopers as hands-free law warning period ends

Media Partners: Please note that we have observed a number of articles posted online with the incorrect date for when citations start. The date that citations can begin for the Hands-Free and Distracted Driving law is February 28, 2026. We confirmed this with the legislature in September 2025 and have been citing the February 28 date since we began educating the public about it. See our Hands Free SC webpage here for more information.

Additionally, please RSVP by email to your local Highway Patrol Community Relations Officer (CRO) by Tuesday, February 24, 2026, by 5 p.m. CRO emails can be found on this page under the header, Community Relations Officers/PIO (Troop 1-7): https://scdps.sc.gov/media

--MEDIA ADVISORY--

The South Carolina Highway Patrol (SCHP) announces the following event:

WHAT: SC Highway Patrol Community Relations Officers (CROs) will be available for group interviews on the Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Law. The 180-day warning period ends on February 27, 2026. Starting Saturday, February 28, 2026, citations can be issued by law enforcement across the state.

During this media availability, you will be provided with statewide data (by county) for the number of warnings issued for the Hands-Free Law since September 1, 2025.

Note on citation requests: Due to the expected number of requests for citations, in an effort for consistent reporting of numbers statewide and to ensure time for local law enforcement agencies to accurately report their data to SCDPS, we will provide statewide and county citation totals on March 30, 2026. Data requests submitted between February 28 - March 29, will not be granted.

WHEN: Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 10:30 a.m.

WHERE:

• Richland County
  SC Highway Patrol Troop 1 Headquarters
  1626 Shop Road, Columbia, SC 29201
• Greenville County
  SC Highway Patrol Troop 3 Headquarters
  33 Villa Road, Suite 200, Greenville, SC 29615
• York County
  SC Highway Patrol Troop 4 Headquarters, Rock Hill Business Technology Center
  454 S. Anderson Rd, Suite 400, Rock Hill, SC 29730
• Horry County
  SC Highway Patrol Troop 5 - Post D
  4195 Highway 701 North, Conway, SC 29526
• Charleston County
  SC Highway Patrol Troop 6 Headquarters
  2070 Northbrook Blvd, Suite A-20, N. Charleston, SC 29406

WHY: To answer questions regarding the Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Law and ensure the public is educated before citations begin to be issued.

NOTES: For additional information regarding the Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Law and the Hands Free SC campaign, please visit: https://scdps.sc.gov/handsfree. Resources in English and Spanish are available for download.