South Carolina Among Top 10 U.S. States Where Breaking Traffic Laws Could Get You Killed - 12 people have been killed on Laurens County roadways so far this year

A new study highlighted that South Carolina is the second-most dangerous state for traffic law violators across the nation.

The research conducted by personal injury law firm Simmrin Law Group analyzed traffic crash data across all U.S. states via the  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It measured three main metrics: Distracted Driving Crashes per 100,000 Residents (scored out of 30 points), Speeding Crashes per 100,000 Residents (scored out of 35 points), and Intersection Crashes per 100,000 Residents (scored out of 35 points). These metrics were totaled to rank the states from highest to lowest risk on a 100-point scale, with higher scores indicating greater traffic safety concerns.

South Carolina ranks second with a traffic violation fatality score of 64/100. The Palmetto State has 0.79 distracted driving crashes per 100,000 residents (scoring 3/30), 7.85 speeding crashes per 100,000 residents (scoring 35/35) and 3.73 intersection crashes per 100,000 residents (scoring 26/35).

Looking at the study, a spokesperson from Simmrin Law commented:

"The research reveals that South Carolina is facing the second-most critical challenges in addressing dangerous traffic violations that are putting lives at risk, particularly distracted driving from using phones while driving, speeding by going over speed limits, and reckless intersection behavior like jumping red lights or speeding through intersections.

"The data further suggests that states with inadequate enforcement of traffic violations tend to create more dangerous driving environments than those with robust regulatory systems and proactive safety measures targeting distracted driving, speeding, and intersection safety.

“To avoid this situation, these states should prioritize cracking down on drivers using phones while driving, implementing stricter penalties for going over speed limits, and increasing enforcement at intersections to prevent drivers from jumping red lights or speeding through intersections."

The study was conducted by Simmrin Law Group, a digital safety resource dedicated to raising awareness of online fraud and helping Americans protect their emotional and financial well-being.

Methodology 

The study analyzed distracted driving, speeding, and intersection crashes across all U.S. states from 2019 to 2023. These three metric scores were totaled to rank the states from highest to lowest risk on a 100-point scale, with higher scores indicating greater traffic safety concerns.

Data Sources 

• Traffic crash data: https://cdan.dot.gov/query 
• Research Dataset: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1bG_vQpXSmPePxR2anjPflKluM3pm06Y0wa3JMVxDjlw/edit?gid=715583660#gid=715583660 
• Study by: www.simmrinlawgroup.com 

Law Group here.

SC’s new hands-free driving law goes into effect Sept. 1

Law enforcement will issue warnings for the first six months. After that, violators will face fines of $100 to $200

BY: JESSICA HOLDMAN - JULY 31, 2025 4:59 PM

Scrolling and driving will be illegal in South Carolina starting Sept. 1 as the state’s new hands-free driving law goes into effect.

For the first six months, anyone stopped for holding a cellphone while driving — whether talking, texting or watching videos — will receive a warning. But starting Feb. 28, violators will be handed a costly ticket.

“We recognize that this law will cause a very significant change in driving habits for many drivers. So, we will educate first,” Robert Woods, director of the Department of Public Safety, said at a ceremonial bill signing Thursday.

State officials gathered at the Statehouse to celebrate South Carolina becoming the 33rd state to enact such a law, which Gov. Henry McMaster signed in mid-May.

Distracted driving is a contributing factor in more than 20,000 traffic collisions in the state each year, according to DPS.

“We are confident this law will prevent collisions and save lives,” Woods said. “It is important to know that our troopers and officers of the Department of Public Safety, working in cooperation with our local law enforcement partners, will strictly enforce this law.”

Hands-free phone calls and voice-to-text messaging remain legal. And drivers can still have their phones in hand when parked, reporting traffic accidents or during a medical emergency.

“It’s just common sense, but sometimes it takes a law to remind everybody of that common sense,” McMaster said.

“To see some of our people unnecessarily hurt, damaged, to see families suffer from acts of inattention, it’s something that’s just a crying shame,” the governor added.

Under the law, driver’s can also handle their phones when legally stopped, such as when at a red light, however the Department of Public Safety “encourages drivers to always avoid using a mobile device when behind the wheel, even at a red light, as driving a vehicle requires careful attention,” spokesman Kyle McGahee said in a statement.

Fines start at $100 for a first offense. For second or subsequent offenses, the fine rises to $200 and a two-point assessment against your driver’s license, a penalty Woods said is likely to get people’s attention and act as a deterrent.

To get the word out about the new law, the state Department of Transportation will install signs along state roads and display messages on the agency’s digital displays along interstates.

The state Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism will also alert visitors of the law with signs at its interstate welcome centers.

Attending the bill’s ceremonial signing was the widow of the late Dale Willenberg of Chesnee, along with one of his twin daughters and a grandson.

An avid cyclist, Willenberg died in 2017 at the age of 57 after he was struck by a driver in a hit-and-run.

According to prosecutors, the driver had looked down to check his cellphone before the collision, then fled the scene. The driver later turned himself in to police. He was sentenced to 12 1/2 years in prison for the fatal hit-and-run, WYFF-TV news reported.

“I do not want anyone in this room to suffer the trauma we have suffered — lives crushed under grief and a legacy interrupted needlessly,” said his widow, Kelly Willenberg.

“Choosing screen over safety is not an option. This bill is more than legislation. It is a vow to protect what matters most for us,” she said. “It’s not just a policy. It’s a promise born of our pain and purpose. Our roads will be governed by responsibility, awareness and respect.

Let this law stand as a reminder that no message, no text, no ping or post, is worth the price of a human life.”

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated with more information from the Department of Public Safety.

JESSICA HOLDMAN

Jessica Holdman writes about the economy, workforce and higher education. Before joining the SC Daily Gazette, she was a business reporter for The Post and Courier.

SC Daily Gazette is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.

SCDPS REPORTS SEVEN KILLED ON SOUTH CAROLINA ROADWAYS AUGUST 8 TO AUGUST 10, 2025

COLUMBIA — The South Carolina Department of Public Safety announces a preliminary number of seven people killed on South Carolina roadways during the weekend beginning Friday, August 8, at 6:00 p.m. until Sunday, August 10, at 11:59 p.m.

Please note that these numbers are preliminary and are based on fatal collisions compiled by the South Carolina Department of Public Safety as of 11:59 p.m. on August 10, 2025. For confirmation on fatality information, please contact the appropriate county coroner’s office.

SOUTH CAROLINA TRAFFIC FATALITIES

January 1 through August 10

*2023-2025 figures are preliminary.

**Additional notice: Be advised, Real-Time Traffic is no longer available. For traffic and road information, please check out SCDOT's website - https://www.511sc.org/

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The South Carolina Department of Public Safety includes the Highway Patrol, State Transport Police, Bureau of Protective Services, Office of Highway Safety and Justice Programs and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame. Our mission is to ensure public safety by protecting and serving the people of South Carolina and its visitors.