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Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bucket list: 60 best must-try things to do, tourist attractions in Palm Beach County
We have compiled a bucket list of 60 must-try things to do and see in Palm Beach County that can keep boredom at bay indefinitely. It's a list fit for locals and tourists alike with no shortage of both indoor and outdoor amusement and relaxation. From the beaches to the shores of Lake Okeechobee, this list covers everything from world-famous attractions to hidden gems, fine dining to fun (bike) riding, not to mention the arts, architecture, history, shopping and sports. Presented loosely in geographic order from north to south, here's our list of fun things to do. 1. Go mountain biking on the trails at Jonathan Dickinson State Park. 2. Take the one-and-half hour Trapper Tour (available only at higher tides) aboard the Loxahatchee Queen III at Jonathan Dickinson State Park and see Trapper Nelson's homestead. 3. See Blowing Rocks Nature Preserve on Jupiter Island and watch as crashing waves send plumes of water through the rocks along the beach. 4. Take a selfie (very carefully) from the top of the Jupiter Lighthouse. More ways to enjoy Palm Beach County: Best waterfront restaurants in and around West Palm Beach 5. Visit the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary and see native Florida animals up close and learn about their biology, habitats and conservation efforts. The center also offers fun events including Yoga in the Wild, their Walk on the Wild Side Tour, and much more. 6. Do a drift fishing trip out of Square Grouper Marina with Capt. Bill Taylor aboard the Black Dog. 7. Have lunch, dinner or drinks at the Square Grouper Tiki Bar at Jupiter Inlet. A beautiful spot to see the Jupiter Lighthouse and watch boats come and go, it has been featured in several music videos. 8. See the Miami Marlins' Single-A affiliate minor league team, the Jupiter Hammerheads, play at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter. 9. Catch a stage performance at the fabulously renovated Maltz Jupiter Theatre, complete with 216-screen LED wall that adds a new twist in theater production. 10. See and learn about sea turtles at Loggerhead Marinelife Center where they do research as well as rescue and rehabilitate injured turtles. They also host popular beach releases after the turtles are healthy and ready to return to the wild. 11. Kayak or paddleboard at John D. MacArthur Beach State Park where, depending on the season, you could see manatees, dolphin, mullet, snook, rays, wading birds and more. 12. Head to Phil Foster Park in Riviera Beach to snorkel Palm Beach County's very own natural aquarium: the snorkel trail under the Blue Heron Bridge. 13. In the summer months, get wet and wild at the Rapids Water Park in Riviera Beach and experience the park's nearly three dozen slides and attractions. 14. Visit Manatee Lagoon in West Palm Beach and see the manatees as they congregate, especially after a cold front, around the nearby power plant's warm water discharges. Learn about these endangered, gentle giants and how to help save them. 15. Head to Grassy Waters Preserve in West Palm Beach and explore the nearly 23 square miles of this expansive wetlands ecosystem on foot or via canoe or kayak. 16. Take a bicycle ride down the Lake Trail in Palm Beach from the Palm Beach Marina to Annie's Dock. Keeping cool: Looking for some cool treats? Best ice cream, gelato, ice pops in Palm Beach County 17. Have a meal at Green's Pharmacy, opened in 1938, in Palm Beach where the Kennedys used to stop in for breakfast and lunch. 18. Venture to the Flagler Museum in Palm Beach. Whitehall, a 75-room, 100,000-square-foot Gilded Age mansion, was built by Henry Flagler as a wedding gift for his wife, Mary Lily Kenan Flagler. 19. Take a walk down world-famous Worth Avenue in Palm Beach from the clock tower down to the Everglades Club (do not miss the alcoves, or "vias," along the way). 20. When the president is not in town, drive ridiculously slow by Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach while holding your cell phone out of either the window or sunroof — and infuriate all the local motorists behind you. 21. Begin the day at sunrise on Palm Beach with photos at the clock tower and finish with it watching the sunset over Lake Okeechobee. 22. Dine at one of the dozen or more restaurants at CityPlace, including El Camino, Maman, Adrienne's Pizzabar and more, in downtown West Palm Beach, then see a traveling Broadway show at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. 23. From October through April, stop by the award-winning West Palm Beach GreenMarket featuring over 130 vendors and held along the city's beautiful waterfront. More: After brief closure, West Palm Beach's Blind Monk restaurant opens in larger space 24. Over the winter holidays, visit Sandi Tree, the 35-foot tall, 800-ton holiday sand sculpture, along the West Palm Beach waterfront. At night, the tree is bathed in a light show accompanied by music. 25. Catch some live music at Respectable Street on Clematis Street in downtown West Palm Beach. The club helped spark the downtown area's resurrection and has been going strong for over 35 years. 26. Stop in at Roxy's Pub on Clematis Street in downtown West Palm Beach. Established in 1933, the pub features 64 beers on draft, an extensive menu and a rooftop bar and even a now-open rooftop pool. More: Outdoor dining at its best! Top rooftop restaurants, bars in Palm Beach County 27. Take a sunset cruise from the West Palm Beach docks aboard the Hakuna Matata. Take in the beautiful architecture located on both sides of the Intracoastal Waterway during the two-hour trip. 28. Walk below and snag Insta-worthy pics of the amazing 600-piece Chihuly glass ceiling at the Norton Museum of Art found along the Dixie Corridor in West Palm Beach. The colorful pieces combine to make an artwork that looks like light pouring through a coral reef and is called the "Persian Sea Life" ceiling. 29. Have breakfast at the iconic, 75-year-old Howley's Diner where "cooked in sight, must be right" is proven true. Try their Gino's Meatloaf or the beautiful behemoth, the Big Mouth Burger. 30. Work your wheels — skateboard, in-line or BMX bike — at West Palm Beach's recently renovated Phipps Skate Park off Dixie Highway. 31. Bring a lawn chair and watch a movie outdoors on the waterfront during West Palm Beach's Screen on the Green nights — the second Friday of every month. 32. Enjoy the mini golf oasis Pop Stroke with two amazing 18-hole putting courses. Co-owned by Tiger Woods, their slogan is Eat, Put, Drink. 33. See cougars, capybaras, jaguars, tigers, tapirs, bears, otters, koalas, kookaburas and more at the Palm Beach Zoo. Bring swimsuits for the zoo's fountain and splash pad. Bring your appetite for the Tropics Café. 34. See rotating exhibits, learn about science, enjoy food truck events and even travel back to the 1970s with in a laser light concert at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium. 35. Hit the links at West Palm Beach's meticulously-maintained golf course The Park. While there dine at the restaurant The House or grab a quick bite at The Cabana. 36. Enjoy a very "Palm Beach-style" afternoon and play croquet at the 10-acre National Croquet Center in West Palm Beach. 37. Play 18 holes of golf on the Palm Beach Par 3 Golf Course where the front nine is along the Atlantic Ocean and the back nine is along the Intracoastal Waterway. More: At the Table: Local open-to-the-public golf course clubhouse restaurants offer tasty fare 38. Head to Yesteryear Village at the South Florida Fairgrounds to see the Riddle House, which was featured on the show "Ghost Adventures." 39. Visit the family-run Bulk Candy Store where you can experience the History of Candy tour and sink your teeth in their incredibly vast selection including Smarties, Dad's Root Beer Barrels, Bit O Honey, Laffy Taffy, Necco, Pop Rocks and much more. 40. Learn to ski, wakeboard or kneeboard at the Shark Wake Park located in the vast Okeeheelee Park in West Palm Beach. 41. See a polo match at the National Polo Center in Wellington during the winter season. 42. Visit one of the nation's top "safari parks" — Lion Country Safari, a 600-acre, drive-through open zoo in Loxahatchee. It features more than 1,000 wild animals from six continents, including lions, giraffes, elephants, zebras and chimpanzees. 43. Grab some friends and battle it out in a round of paintball at Piquet Entertainment & Race Track in Loxahatchee Groves. The property also has a kart track and mini golf. 44. Watch the streets of Lake Worth Beach get transformed into an art gallery as over 600 artists use the pavement as their canvas during the annual Lake Worth Beach Street Painting Festival. 45. See a performance in the historic Lake Worth Playhouse in the city's vibrant downtown. The theater, built in a Moorish Deco style, first opened in 1924 and puts on award-winning dramas, comedies, musicals, Broadway favorites and more. 46. Have breakfast, lunch or dinner at Benny's on the Beach on the Lake Worth Pier. Though there are many restaurants that boast "water views," there aren't many perched on a pier actually out over the water. You could even have a celebrity encounter as rocker Jon Bon Jovi and celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay have been spotted at the fun location. 47. A hike through the Lantana Nature Preserve is a great way to see a coastal hardwood hammock, great tree and plant specimens as well as many species of birds, reptiles and insects. 48. Drink or dine at the Old Key Lime House, a family-owned restaurant and bar built in 1889. This vintage-island spot in Lantana is like one big, sprawling tiki bar docked on the Intracoastal Waterway. 49. Put on a bib and get dinner at Riggins Crabhouse, the area's only authentic Maryland-style crabhouse, in Lantana. 50. Stop in at Two Georges Waterfront Grille in Boynton Beach and enjoy lunch or dinner while watching the boats pass along the Intracoastal Waterway. In business for over 60 years, they are well-known for frozen cocktails, crab cakes and more. 51. Hike, bike, canoe or kayak the miles of waterways and trails throughout The Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge's nearly 150,000 acres. 52. Take a relaxing stroll and learn about Japanese culture at Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in western Delray Beach. Be on the lookout for special evening hours when summer arrives and the days are longer. 53. Spend an afternoon shopping and eating your way down Delray Beach's hippest street: Atlantic Avenue. Check out newcomers like Gabriella's, Gesto and Bourbon Steak. 54. Visit the Silverball Retro Arcade in Delray Beach, play endless modern and retro arcade games along with pinball while imagining you're in a video for the song "Pinball Wizard" by The Who. 55. Watch sharks and stingrays chow down at the Sandoway Discovery Center on A1A in Delray Beach. There are other animal encounters as well at the beachfront property that features the beautifully restored Sandoway House built in 1936. 56. Submerge yourself in Delray Beach's art scene by heading to the Pineapple Grove Arts District, where you'll find murals, sculptures and vibrant art galleries. 57. See Wakodahatchee Wetlands, which was created from 50 acres of unused utility land and transformed into a wetlands area that features and boardwalk and is usually packed with wildlife. 58. Get your groove on with a free or ticketed concert at the Mizner Park Amphitheater at Mizner Park in Boca Raton. While you're there, check out the current exhibits at the Boca Raton Museum of Art. 59. Go kayaking from the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, where you can learn about the center's sea turtle rehabilitation program. They also host hikes and canoe trips. 60. See the Florida Atlantic University Owls take on AAC rivals in a division 1 college football game during football season at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton. Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at eritz@ Help support our journalism. Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Best things to do, tourist attractions near West Palm, Jupiter FL
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Russia reissues harsh demands in talks with Ukraine
Ukraine conducted an elaborate drone strike across Russia, targeting bombers. Russian President Putin has not yet acknowledged the attack. This comes on the heels of ongoing peace negotiations. Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bill Taylor joins Ana Cabrera to provide more insight.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Stolen motorbikes worth £350k found at Tilbury thanks to tracker
Police discovered about 20 motorbikes inside a shipping container thanks to a tracking Metropolitan Police said the haul at Tilbury docks in Essex, believed to have been stolen, was worth about £350, Taylor, the founder of the tracker company, told the BBC he was "absolutely elated" when the collection was said they were trying to trace the vehicle owners. Mr Taylor explained that his company, BikeTrac, had been tracing one bike for several weeks that had been stolen from Richmond in south-west was not expecting police to find more bikes at Tilbury on 21 May."When we started 15 years ago, the average recovery rate in the industry was about 40%... now it's over a 90% chance of getting your bike back if you've got a tracker on it."A Met Police spokesperson said no arrests had been made. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Black America Web
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Shorty Fest 2025 Continues To Put The Local Youth In Spotlight With Trombone Shorty's Guidance
Source: Katie Sikora Photography/IG: / Acura / Trombone Shorty / Shorty Fest Trombone Shorty continues to put on for his hometown and ensure the local kids in his community continue to benefit from the gift of music. New Orleans is best known for its all-day and all-night party atmosphere on Bourbon Street, delicious food, and, most importantly, music, specifically jazz music. Trombone Shorty recognizes the importance of music and uses his gifts to uplift and give back to his community. He does that through his Trombone Shorty Foundation, which he launched with executive director Bill Taylor in 2011. Through the Trombone Shorty Academy and its staff, the talented musician and Taylor work tirelessly to pass on the gift of music to the next generation out of New Orleans, whether through performance, mastering musical instruments, or learning how to navigate the business side of music. All of the tutelage and mentorship are displayed fully during Shorty Fest Presented by Acura, which celebrated its 12th year, where the kids get an opportunity to show off their talent. Trombone Shorty Wants To Make Sure The Kids of The Shorty Understand The Business Side of Music Source: Katie Sikora Photography/IG: / Acura / Trombone Shorty / Shorty Fest Ahead of the event, CassiusLife and other participants hopped on a Zoom call with Trombone Shorty, whose real name is Troy Andrews. He explained what new initiatives and areas of focus he is excited about with The Shorty Foundation. 'I'm excited about getting the audio engineering together, because, like we say, everyone in the program, even if they play music, some of them might not turn out to be musicians,' Trombone Shorty begins. 'So, having the music business side of it is very important, as one of the students was just saying, because I went to school with a bunch of people at NOCCA (New Orleans Center for Creative Arts), and more than half of them don't play anymore. So some of them went into management. Some of them went into audio engineer, and some of them went into booking or whatever it may be, but I'm just happy that we're able to continue to elevate the program in different areas that that kids can stay interested in all of the music, not just performing, but all of it. He continued, 'So, as we continue to make those areas stronger. I'm always looking forward to that because you know, in New Orleans, sometimes we can lack the music business side of it, but we know how to play. You know, we make music, and when these kids go out there to Nashville, New York, and L.A., and different things like that. I don't want them to feel like they don't belong. I want them to be aware of what's out there in the music business other than performing. Because that's what we do so well here, but I just want them to be in those positions, so I'm looking forward to getting those programs stronger.' Performing at The Legendary Tipitina's Is What Sets Shorty Fest Apart From Other Music Festivals Source: Katie Sikora Photography/IG: / Acura / Trombone Shorty / Shorty Fest New Orleans isn't lacking in the music festival department. Still, according to Trombone Shorty, one thing sets his festival apart from the others: the legendary Tipitina's venue, according to the New Orleans musician. 'Well, what makes Shorty Fest unique is the iconic Tipitina's as the home of Professor Long Hair and The Neville brothers, and different things, and in New Orleans, when you're building your career, most likely when you make it to Tipitina's, and selling out that place. You're probably on the way to a nice career,' Trombone Shorty said. 'And that's kind of like when you can get there and play on that stage. Normally, people who played there go on to have a wonderful career. It might not be the biggest career, but it's a successful career. And so, for those kids, what makes it unique? And it's different, is that we do have the kids component of it, you know, they get to perform, and also, because of the foundation, they get to perform at other festivals because of the Shorty Fest. Source: Katie Sikora Photography/IG: / Acura / Trombone Shorty / Shorty Fest He continues, 'They performed at the Buku Fest, Voodoo Fez, the Jazz Fest under the name of the foundation, but they run the show. We just stand back and let them do their thing, and because of the Shorty Fest, it's because of all that, they have that experience.' Before we personally experienced Shorty Fest, the folks at Acura made sure we experienced the best of what New Orleans had to offer culturally. We ate at the legendary Dooky Chase restaurant, experienced the annual Jazz Festival, and attended an intimate rehearsal featuring some of the kids from the Trombone Shorty Foundation. Shorty Fest 2025 Was A Stone Cold Groove Source: Katie Sikora Photography/IG: / Acura / Trombone Shorty / Shorty Fest When Shorty Fest 2025 finally arrived, the festivities began in New Orleans style, featuring many outdoor events and performances open to the public. One of the standout outdoor moments was a fantastic battle of the bands between G.W. Carver and Abramson Sci Academy, which featured one of the bands performing Glo Rilla's hit record 'TGIF.' The kids of the Trombone Shorty Foundation warmed up the crowd before they headed inside Tipitina's with several performances. There was also a touching tribute to Caleb Wilson, the Southern University student who died during an alleged hazing incident. Wilson was a member of the Trombone Shorty Foundation program in the past. The action then moved indoors to the ticketed portion of the Shorty Fest, where all proceeds benefit the foundation. Those who bought tickets were treated to a night of high-energy and soulful music from Black Opry Revue, 'The Jersey Takeover' with Dogs in a Pile and special guests Robert Randolph and Jake Clemons (of the E Street Band Tour). Source: Katie Sikora Photography/IG: / Acura / Trombone Shorty / Shorty Fest Before taking the stage with the Orleans Ave Band, Trombone Shorty pulled up to the venue in style, riding in the new Acura ADX A-Spec, which we also got to test drive a day before Shorty Fest. Trombone Shorty was greeted by friends and family. He chopped it up with the invited media before taking the stage, where he performed a medley of his hit records that had Tipitina absolutely rocking. When it was all said and done, Trombone Shorty received a thunderous ovation, signifying that he is deeply appreciated for all he does for the kids in his foundation and his hometown of New Orleans. Source: Katie Sikora Photography/IG: / Acura / Trombone Shorty / Shorty Fest You can see more photos from the Shorty Fest 2025 experience presented by Acura in the gallery below. Shorty Fest 2025 Continues To Put The Local Youth In Spotlight With Trombone Shorty's Guidance was originally published on Source:Trombone Shorty / Shorty Fest Trombone Shorty x Shorty Fest Presented By Acura acura,trombone shorty,shorty fest Source:Trombone Shorty / Shorty Fest Trombone Shorty x Shorty Fest Presented By Acura acura,trombone shorty,shorty fest Source:Trombone Shorty / Shorty Fest Trombone Shorty x Shorty Fest Presented By Acura acura,trombone shorty,shorty fest Source:Trombone Shorty / Shorty Fest Trombone Shorty x Shorty Fest Presented By Acura acura,trombone shorty,shorty fest Source:Trombone Shorty / Shorty Fest Trombone Shorty x Shorty Fest Presented By Acura acura,trombone shorty,shorty fest Source:Acura / Trombone Shorty / Shorty Fest Acura x Trombone Shorty x Shorty Fest acura,trombone shorty,shorty fest Source:Acura / Trombone Shorty / Shorty Fest Acura x Trombone Shorty x Shorty Fest acura,trombone shorty,shorty fest Source:Acura / Trombone Shorty / Shorty Fest Acura x Trombone Shorty x Shorty Fest acura,trombone shorty,shorty fest Source:Acura / Trombone Shorty / Shorty Fest Acura x Trombone Shorty x Shorty Fest acura,trombone shorty,shorty fest Source:Acura / Trombone Shorty / Shorty Fest Acura x Trombone Shorty x Shorty Fest acura,trombone shorty,shorty fest Source:Trombone Shorty / Shorty Fest Trombone Shorty x Shorty Fest Presented By Acura acura,trombone shorty,shorty fest Source:Trombone Shorty / Shorty Fest Trombone Shorty x Shorty Fest Presented By Acura acura,trombone shorty,shorty fest Source:Trombone Shorty / Shorty Fest Trombone Shorty x Shorty Fest Presented By Acura acura,trombone shorty,shorty fest Source:Trombone Shorty / Shorty Fest Trombone Shorty x Shorty Fest Presented By Acura acura,trombone shorty,shorty fest Source:Acura / Trombone Shorty / Shorty Fest Acura x Trombone Shorty x Shorty Fest acura,trombone shorty,shorty fest Source:Acura / Trombone Shorty / Shorty Fest Acura x Trombone Shorty x Shorty Fest acura,trombone shorty,shorty fest Source:Acura / Trombone Shorty / Shorty Fest Acura x Trombone Shorty x Shorty Fest acura,trombone shorty,shorty fest Source:Acura / Trombone Shorty / Shorty Fest Acura x Trombone Shorty x Shorty Fest acura,trombone shorty,shorty fest Source:Acura / Trombone Shorty / Shorty Fest Acura x Trombone Shorty x Shorty Fest acura,trombone shorty,shorty fest Source:Acura / Trombone Shorty / Shorty Fest Acura x Trombone Shorty x Shorty Fest acura,trombone shorty,shorty fest Source:Acura / Trombone Shorty / Shorty Fest Acura x Trombone Shorty x Shorty Fest acura,trombone shorty,shorty fest Source:Acura / Trombone Shorty / Shorty Fest Acura x Trombone Shorty x Shorty Fest acura,trombone shorty,shorty fest Source:Acura / Trombone Shorty / Shorty Fest Acura x Trombone Shorty x Shorty Fest acura,trombone shorty,shorty fest Source:Acura / Trombone Shorty / Shorty Fest Acura x Trombone Shorty x Shorty Fest acura,trombone shorty,shorty fest Source:Trombone Shorty / Shorty Fest Trombone Shorty x Shorty Fest Presented By Acura acura,trombone shorty,shorty fest Source:Trombone Shorty / Shorty Fest Trombone Shorty x Shorty Fest Presented By Acura acura,trombone shorty,shorty fest Source:Trombone Shorty / Shorty Fest Trombone Shorty x Shorty Fest Presented By Acura acura,trombone shorty,shorty fest Source:Acura / Trombone Shorty / Shorty Fest Acura x Trombone Shorty x Shorty Fest acura,trombone shorty,shorty fest Source:Acura / Trombone Shorty / Shorty Fest Acura x Trombone Shorty x Shorty Fest acura,trombone shorty,shorty fest Source:Acura / Trombone Shorty / Shorty Fest Acura x Trombone Shorty x Shorty Fest acura,trombone shorty,shorty fest Source:Acura / Trombone Shorty / Shorty Fest Acura x Trombone Shorty x Shorty Fest acura,trombone shorty,shorty fest Source:Acura / Trombone Shorty / Shorty Fest Acura x Trombone Shorty x Shorty Fest acura,trombone shorty,shorty fest Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hands-free driving bill advances through South Carolina House
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD) – Distracted driving contributes to tens of thousands of traffic crashes in South Carolina each year, according to data from the South Carolina Department of Public Safety. A bill aimed at curbing that statistic and traffic fatalities more generally is again moving through the state legislature. The House passed H.3276, which would ban drivers from holding a cellphone and other types of mobile electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle, in an 85-25 vote Wednesday. It would not apply to first responders responding to an emergency or drivers who are reporting a crash or other safety hazard to law enforcement. Motorists would still be able to make calls using an earpiece, wrist-worn device, or other voice-based communication applications. Advocates have been pushing for the legislation for years, but it never gained enough traction to reach the governor's desk. The threat of losing federal highway funding could now change that. 'We're under a mandate either do a hands-free bill or we'll potentially lose in excess of $50 million over two years in highway funding,' said Rep. Bill Taylor (R-Aiken), a longtime champion of the legislation. The bill expands the state's existing prohibition on texting while driving, making it unlawful to hold or support a mobile device 'with any part of the body' – a particular sticking point for some. 'Your phone could be sitting in your lap, and you're going to get pulled and you're going to get a ticket, and you're going to get a fine,' said Rep. Leon Stavrinakis (D-Charleston). Taylor disagreed with that interpretation. 'I don't think a police officer, you know, can look over the window and down into their lap and pull them over for that because that's a little awkward, so they would have to have it where they can see it,' he said. An amendment adopted Wednesday added probable cause language into the statute, requiring law enforcement to have a 'clear, unobstructed view' of a person using the device in a hand-held manner before stopping them. 600% jump in SNAP scams in 3 months: Is DSS doing enough to protect EBT card holders? Then, there was the issue of what punishment violators should face. As written, a driver could be fined up to $100 for a first offense, with the penalty increasing to $200 for subsequent offenses. Those found in violation would also be docked two points on their driving record, a provision Taylor argued serves as the 'only real deterrent' to distracted driving. But one lawmaker who wanted even stronger penalties questioned why distracted driving should cost only two points, referencing the current breakdown of how points are assigned. In South Carolina, an offense such as shifting lanes without a signal carries two points, whereas reckless driving is a six-point violation. Once a driver accumulates 12 points, their license is suspended. 'I would assume that while I'm riding down the street…that would be considered reckless driving,' Rep. Jermaine Johnson (D-Richland) argued. The impact on car insurance rates was another concern raised by lawmakers during Wednesday's debate. While insurance companies do not directly use license points to calculate premiums, they do look at a person's driving record, including crash history and traffic violations. 'Is punishment having your insurance company raise your premiums?' Rep. Seth Rose (D-Richland) questioned. Rose proposed an amendment that would prevent the 'extra step' of notifying an insurance company of a violation. 'I believe that a two-point citation and the increased penalties that we have in the bill is [sic] sufficient for what we're trying to do,' Rose said, adding the amendment would bring the bill in line with preexisting language. The bill is expected to get a third reading Thursday. It will then go to the Senate, where a similar measure was passed in 2022 but never made it to the House floor. If approved by the governor, South Carolina would join more than two dozen states and Washington, D.C., in adopting a so-called 'hands-free' law. The law would take effect one year after it is signed and allow for a 180-day grace period. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
