Texting While Driving Bill Fails
Air Date:03/01/2011
By Jenifer Jones
A bill banning texting while driving in South Dakota failed to pass a House committee. Law enforcement officials and those affected by distracted driving testified that texting impairs driving, and making it illegal discourages the practice and results in fewer accidents. But opponents argue the bill would be tough to enforce and costs counties money. Some, like Representative Val Rausch say the bill doesn't go far enough.
"There isn't anyone here on this committee that condones texting and driving," Rausch says. "I'm just not sure this is going to alleviate this problem. I think with technology today, I could use my phone and be on the internet the whole way home. That is distracted driving. I think this falls short of what we need to do. They would argue that we've got to start some place, but I think we have time to make better legislation and get rid of all distracted driving."
The House Local Government Committee voted eight to five to send Senate Bill 71 to the 41st legislative day.
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