Town Texting-and-Driving Ban Goes Into Place

At the Sept. 10 Town Council Meeting, Mayor Billy Swails and Mount Pleasant Town Council passed an ordinance prohibiting the use of handheld electronic communication devices to draft, transmit, or review an email or text by people operating a motor vehicle in the Town of Mount Pleasant . The following information is provided to inform the motoring public of this new ordinance.

What does the ordinance do?
o It prohibits the use of handheld electronic communication devices to draft, transmit, or review an email or text by people operating a motor vehicle in the Town of Mount Pleasant

What is a handheld electronic communication device?
o Telephone
o Cell phone
o Personal digital assistant
o Text messaging device
o Email messaging device 
o A computer or other such instrument that allows a person to wirelessly communicate with another while holding or operating such with the hand

The ordinance does not apply to:
o Law enforcement officer
o Firefighter
o Emergency medical technician
o Or other public safety official while in the performance of his/her official duties

The ordinance does not apply to any person using the handheld communication device for:
o Voice communication while operating the vehicle
o Calling 9-1-1 or other emergency numbers to contact public safety forces
o Communication while maintaining a motor vehicle in a stationary and parked position

What are the penalties for breaking the law?
o $50 (if the violation does not occur at the time of a traffic accident) for a final cost of $158.70

$50.00 – Town of Mount Pleasant
$53.75 – 107.5% SC surcharge
$25.00 – Law Enforcement State Surcharge
$25.00 – Victim Advocate Fund
$ 5.00 – Criminal Justice Academy State Surcharge

o $200 (if the violation occurs at the time of a traffic accident) for a final cost of $470

$200.00 – Town of Mount Pleasant
$215.00 – 107.5% SC surcharge
$25.00 – Law Enforcement State Surcharge
$25.00 – Victim Advocate Fund
$ 5.00 – Criminal Justice Academy State Surcharge

What the officer will not do:
o Stop a person unless the officer has probable cause that a violation has occurred based on the officer’s clear and unobstructed view of a person using a handheld communication device to compose, send or read a text-based communication while driving or operating a motor vehicle upon the public streets and highways of the Town
o Seize or require the forfeiture of the handheld electronic device because of the violation
o Search or request to search a vehicle, driver or passenger solely because of this violation
o Make a custodial arrest for violation of this section

How about public education?
o There will be significant public education on the dangers of texting while driving via our town website, PSAs, social media outlets and traditional media outlets (print, TV, radio).
o The Mount Pleasant Police Department began today (9/11/13) its public education outreach at Wando High School. 
o There will be a grace period to allow residents and visitors time to adjust to the new ordinance. Warnings only will be issued during the grace period. 
o Temporary digital SCDOT signs will routinely be deployed to remind residents of the new anti-texting ban