SCDPS Releases Citation Numbers from Operation Keep Us Safe Initiative

COLUMBIA - Operation Keep Us Safe, a collaborative enforcement initiative focused on curbing move over and hands-free violations, concluded on Friday, September 19, at midnight.

Beginning on September 15, the South Carolina Highway Patrol launched the five-day initiative to enhance the safety of law enforcement, first responders, highway workers and tow truck drivers working on our roadways in South Carolina by focusing on enforcing the state's Move Over and Hands-Free laws, along with all other traffic violations. The State Transport Police and many county and municipal law enforcement agencies also participated in the enforcement operation.

Total Citations issued by SCDPS (SC Highway Patrol and SC State Transport Police) for the period of September 15-19 is 1,815 total citations. Of those, 49 of these citations were issued by the SC State Transport Police, and the remaining 1,766 citations were issued by SC Highway Patrol. The total number of Move Over Law citations issued by reporting law enforcement agencies statewide is 2,383 citations for the same reporting period.

SC Highway Patrol Statistic Breakdown September 15-19, 2025

South Carolina's Move Over Law requires drivers to slow down and change lanes when approaching stopped emergency vehicles with flashing lights to ensure the safety of emergency responders and roadside workers. Learn more here: https://scdps.sc.gov/ohsjp/DrivinginSC/move-over-law.

Additionally, the state's new Hands-Free Law prohibits drivers from holding or supporting a mobile device with any part of their body to read or send texts, emails, use websites, browse/post on social media, watch movies, or take video calls. Exceptions to the law include using a mobile electronic device while legally parked or stopped, using the device in hands-free mode, and listening to audio content as long as drivers are not holding the device while doing so. Law enforcement and first responders are also exempt while performing official duties. South Carolina law enforcement shall only issue warnings for violations of the hands-free law until February 28, 2026. Learn more: https://scdps.sc.gov/handsfree.

The press conference was livestreamed on the SCDPS and can be viewed here: https://www.facebook.com/thescdps/videos/1302746111258165/

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety includes the Highway Patrol, State Transport Police, Bureau of Protective Services, Office of Highway Safety and Justice Programs, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame. Our mission is to ensure public safety by protecting and serving the people of South Carolina and its visitors.