A bill banning texting while driving in South Dakota has lived to fight in another committee. State senators passed the bill that would ban use of an electronic device while driving across the state.
State Senators debated the bill Tuesday, rehashing the same arguments from past years. Proponents testified the bill is necessary to change the culture of texting and driving. Opponents said there are already laws to prohibit negligent driving, under which texting and driving falls.
However, during this debate the bill's sponsor, Republican Senator Mike Vehle, brought forth some side ammunition. Vehle spoke about how a statewide ban on texting while driving would unify enforcement across the state—rather than bans in cities spotted across South Dakota.
The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 24-9. Now, it goes to a House committee.
