PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard has signed into law a measure that prohibits beginning drivers from using cellphones when they're behind the wheel.
The new law will ban young drivers from using cellphones or other electronic devices until they get unrestricted licenses at age 16.
A law officer could not stop a beginning driver just for driving while using a cellphone, but could issue a ticket only after stopping a young driver for some other traffic violation.
South Dakota joins 33 other states and the District of Columbia in banning cellphone use by novice drivers.
The measure was suggested by a task force set up by the Legislature to find ways to reduce teen traffic crashes and the resulting injuries and deaths. The Legislature rejected three other task force proposals.
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