South Dakota Law Bars Young Drivers from Using Cell Phones

A new South Dakota law prohibits beginning drivers from using cell phones while they are behind the wheel.

South Dakota allows 14-year-olds to get instruction permits, the nation’s youngest age for driving while accompanied by an adult. Those young drivers can later graduate to restricted permits that allow them to drive alone in the daytime.

The new law says those with instruction and restricted permits cannot use cellphones or other electronic devices while they are driving. That ban ends when drivers turn 16 and get unrestricted permits.

The measure’s main sponsor, Sen. Craig Tieszen of Rapid City, says he hopes the cell phone ban will save some lives among beginning drivers.