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TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 56-5-3815 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT IT IS UNLAWFUL TO DRIVE A VEHICLE WHILE DISTRACTED, TO PROVIDE A PENALTY, AND TO ALLOW A WARNING TICKET TO BE ISSUED TO A DRIVER WHOSE ACTIONS COULD RESULT IN A DISTRACTED DRIVING VIOLATION.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Article 31, Chapter 5, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 56-5-3815. (A) It is unlawful to drive a motor vehicle while engaged in any activity that materially and appreciably impairs a driver's faculties to drive a motor vehicle. A person who violates this provision is guilty of driving while distracted and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars.
(B) A law enforcement officer may not charge a driver with a violation of this section unless the driver is observed violating another motor vehicle offense due to his being distracted by activities performed in the motor vehicle.
(C) A law enforcement officer may issue a warning ticket to a driver whose actions could result in a distracted driving violation."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
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