South Dakota Legislature Approves Texting While Driving Ban

After years of debate on the issue, the South Dakota Legislature has finally approved a statewide ban on texting while driving.

The state House voted 52-18 in favor of the measure and senators approved it by a 28-7 vote.

The measure makes texting behind the wheel a petty offense carrying a $100 penalty. It would be considered a secondary offense, meaning a law officer could ticket someone for a texting violation only after first stopping that driver for another traffic offense.

The bill does not prohibit local governments from having texting bans that are stricter than the state law.