Town Moves Forward on Ban of Mobile Devices While Driving

Town Council on Monday took the next step in banning the use of mobile devices while driving in Mount Pleasant. The fines will be steep.

The new rules passed the town's Police, Judicial and Legal Committee by a 2-1 vote. Councilwoman Thomasena Stokes-Marshall and Elton Carrier supported the ban. Councilman Chris Nickels opposed it. Mayor Billy Swails, who also sits on the committee, was absent.

The proposal will be brought before the full council at a 6 p.m. meeting on Aug. 13. Another vote will be held Sept. 10 before the proposal will become law.

The new ban would make it illegal to operate any mobile device by hand while operating a vehicle in the town. It does not preclude the use of hands-free functions on cell phones, but the ban even includes two-way radios.

The town is proposing a $50 fine, but with state fees and assessments, drivers caught using their cell phones will see fines of $162 for a first offense.

Town Councilwoman Thomasena Stokes-Marshall has sought some sort of ban on texting while driving since 2010. But police had complained that a simple ban on texting while driving would be difficult to enforce.

"This proposal is the best way to go forward," said Chief Carl Ritchie. "This is the best way for police to be able to enforce this ban."

Police won't be looking to ticket every motorist at first, Ritchie said. But they will go after motorists who are driving erratically and creating a hazard.

"We're looking for that gross use of the phone," Ritchie told the council. "We're looking for that issue where someone is not paying attention and driving."