South Dakota’s Biggest City Bans Texting While Driving

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South Dakota’s biggest city has banned texting while driving.

The Sioux Falls City Council voted to make sending and receiving electronic messages while operating a vehicle a crime within city limits.

The ordinance will take effect on Sept. 28 and will be punishable by a fine of up to $200 and 30 days in jail. It still will be legal to make phone calls, use GPS navigation and use hands free devices.

The push for a texting while driving ban in Sioux Falls was started earlier this year by a group called Citizens for Cell Phone Safety While Driving.

The South Dakota Legislature has rejected proposed statewide bans in the last two years, but Sioux Falls’ home rule charter allows it to pass measures not forbidden by state law.