First day of Beaufort's texting-while-driving ban brings no citations

147867 articles in the archive and more added every day

First day of Beaufort's texting-while-driving ban brings no citations

By ANNE CHRISTNOVICH
achristnovich@beaufortgazette.com

Published Saturday, November 10, 2012 | 189 Words |

Setting the Record Straight

The Island Packet and The Beaufort Gazette correct all errors of fact. If you see an error in this article, please call the city desk at 843-706-8139. Corrections and clarifications will appear in this space.

Reprint & Reuse Policy

Web sites may link directly to search results and individual articles without permission.

Up to one paragraph of text may be included from an article as long as full attribution is given and the attribution links back to the full article.

To republish more than one paragraph of text, please contact us for permission.

Drivers weren't all thumbs in Beaufort Saturday â€" at least as far as the city's police department was concerned.

On the first day of a new texting while driving ban, police didn't write a single citation .

The ordinance, passed by Beaufort City Council in September, bans any driver from texting. It also prohibits those younger than 18 from using a cellphone while behind the wheel.

A first offense brings a $50 fine. Subsequent violations are $150. A citation doesn't add points to a driver's license.

"We didn't see any violations," Police Chief Matt Clancy said Saturday night. "We're not out there just looking for that."

South Carolina is one of only 11 states that does not have a statewide ban. There are six other localities in the Palmetto State -- Clemson, Walhalla, West Union, Columbia, Camden and Sumter -- that have a similar law.