S 0880 General Bill, By Sheheen

Similar(S 459)
 A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION
 56-1-55, TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR A PERSON WHO HOLDS A BEGINNER'S
 PERMIT OR A RESTRICTED DRIVER'S LICENSE TO DRIVE A MOTOR VEHICLE WHILE USING A
 CELLULAR TELEPHONE OR TEXT MESSAGING DEVICE; AND TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS
 UNLAWFUL FOR A PERSON TO DRIVE A MOTOR VEHICLE THROUGH A SCHOOL ZONE OR
 HIGHWAY WORK ZONE WHILE USING A CELLULAR TELEPHONE OR TEXT MESSAGING DEVICE.

   12/17/13  Senate Prefiled
   12/17/13  Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary
   01/14/14  Senate Introduced and read first time (Senate Journal-page 57)
   01/14/14  Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary
                     (Senate Journal-page 57)

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 56-1-55, TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR A PERSON WHO HOLDS A BEGINNER'S PERMIT OR A RESTRICTED DRIVER'S LICENSE TO DRIVE A MOTOR VEHICLE WHILE USING A CELLULAR TELEPHONE OR TEXT MESSAGING DEVICE; AND TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL FOR A PERSON TO DRIVE A MOTOR VEHICLE THROUGH A SCHOOL ZONE OR HIGHWAY WORK ZONE WHILE USING A CELLULAR TELEPHONE OR TEXT MESSAGING DEVICE.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Article 1, Chapter 1, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 56-1-55.    (A)    It is unlawful for a person who holds a beginner's permit or a restricted driver's license to drive a motor vehicle while using a cellular telephone or text messaging device.

(B)    It is unlawful for a person to drive a motor vehicle through a school zone while using a cellular telephone or text messaging device when the school zone's warning lights have been activated.

(C)    It is unlawful for a person to drive a motor vehicle through a highway work zone, as defined in Section 56-5-1535(B), while using a cellular telephone or text messaging device.

(D)    A person who violates a provision contained in this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned not more than thirty days, or fined not more than $500, or both."

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.