Every April, communities across the country pause to recognize Distracted Driving Awareness Month, a time dedicated to educating drivers about one of the most preventable causes of traffic accidents and fatalities on our roads. This year, the Thumbs Up Guys are proud to take an active role in raising awareness right here in South Carolina, where distracted driving continues to have a devastating impact.
Over the past three days, we have taken to social media to inspire awareness and action in our followers. Our followers submitted questions they had about distracted driving and our attorneys answered, our employees shared their safe driving practices, and we encouraged South Carolinians to put down distractions while driving and keep their eyes on the road.
The Numbers in South Carolina
South Carolina’s roads are among the most dangerous in the nation, and distracted driving plays a major role. It’s important to understand the scope of the problem right here at home.
| 20,000+ | Distracted or inattentive driving is listed as the top contributing factor in more than 20,000 traffic collisions every single year in South Carolina (SCDPS) |
|---|---|
| 2/HR | South Carolina averages two crashes every hour involving a distracted driver (SCDOI) |
| 1,081 | 1,081 South Carolinians lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes in 2022 alone, including pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists (SC General Assembly) |
| Highest | South Carolina continues to rank among the states with the highest number of traffic fatalities per miles driven in the United States (SCDOI) |
| 90% | You are 90% more likely to have an accident when driving distracted (SCDOI) |
| 6x | Texting and driving is 6x more dangerous than driving drunk (SCDOI) |
Nationally, distracted driving accounts for 8% of fatal crashes, 12% of injury crashes, and 11% of all police-reported accidents (NHSTA, 2022).
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Inside Our Campaign
Awareness begins with conversation. We believe that by talking about distracted driving and the dangers that come with it, we can raise awareness and initiate change in our community.
This week, our attorneys answered follower-submitted questions, covering everything from what legally qualifies as distracted driving to South Carolina’s new Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act. We also turned the camera on our team, asking employees how they personally practice safe driving. Safe driving isn’t just something we talk about, it’s something we’re committed to putting at the center of this community.
Why This Matters
Distracted driving is not a new problem, but it is a growing one. As smartphones become more integrated into our daily lives, the temptation to glance at a screen for even a moment has never been more serious.
South Carolina’s Hands-Free and Distracted Driving Act, which took effect September 1, 2025, now prohibits drivers from holding or supporting a mobile device with any part of their body while operating a vehicle. This landmark law marks a turning point in how our state addresses distracted driving.
Even though South Carolina has taken important steps forward with the Hands-Free Law, laws alone cannot change behavior. Awareness campaigns like ours exist to fill that gap. When people understand the real risk, when they see the statistics, hear from experts, and listen to people they trust, they are more likely to make safer choices.
The attorneys at the Thumbs Up Guys represent accidents victims every day. We see firsthand the devastation that a moment of distraction can cause.
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Get Involved: Pledge to Drive Distraction-Free
The most powerful thing you can do this April is make a commitment. Put your phone down. Set your GPS before you pull out of the driveway. Ask your passengers to help navigate. And if you must use your phone, pull over safely first.
Here are a few simple habits that can make a life-saving difference:
- Enable “Do Not Disturb While Driving” mode on your smartphone before every trip.
- Set your GPS, music, and climate controls before putting the car in drive.
- If you need to check your phone, pull into a parking lot. Never pull over on the shoulder of a highway.
- Talk to your teen drivers about distracted driving. South Carolina’s teen driving statistics are alarming: a teen driver is involved in a collision that kills or injures someone every 1.4 hours in our state (SCDPS).
- Lead by example. If your passengers see you putting your phone away, they’ll be more likely to do the same.
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If You’ve Been Injured by a Distracted Driver
Awareness is only one part of the equation. If you or someone you love has been hurt in an accident caused by a distracted driver, you have rights. Distracted driving is negligent driving, and those who cause accidents due to inattention can be held legally accountable.
Our attorneys are here to help you understand your options, protect your rights, and fight for the compensation you deserve. Distracted driving cases require careful investigation and experienced legal representation, and that’s exactly what our team provides.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
Call or text (843) 380-8350 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
