While drivers in South Dakota can be charged, but not directly pulled over, for texting while driving, a new bill advanced by the South Dakota House Judiciary Committee will reclassify distracted driving as a primary offense.
Despite findings by the South Dakota Department of Public Safety that the number of distracted driving-linked crashed rose by 9 percent in 2015 alone, and reached as many as 116 linked deaths in 2016, officers are forbidden from pulling anyone over for texting unless they view another offense as well. The bill is currently being promoted by the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI).
“South Dakota has prioritized public safety by banning texting while driving already, but more needs to be done to reduce distracted driving and enforce the law,” Melanie Smith, PCI regional manager for state government relations, said. “House Bill 1230, which will make texting while driving a primary offense, is part of the solution.”
The danger is on the rise across the country. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety recently found that two in three drivers confess to using portable electronics while driving and almost half to texting while driving.
“Nationally 3,450 people have died in a car crash involving distracted driving in just one year,” Smith said. “This number is not complete because few people will admit after a crash they were texting and driving. Everyone is busy and we think we can multi-task while we are driving, but we have to change this mindset.”
HB 1230 now heads to the state House floor for full consideration.