South Dakota Cell Phone Driving Laws

By now, most of us are aware of how dangerous it is to use a cell phone while driving. Unfortunately, it still happens all the time and as a result, eight people in the U.S. lose their lives each day due to distracted driving behaviors.

The state of South Dakota didn’t immediately adopt distracted driving laws like some other states, but the rules have since changed. Read on to learn more about South Dakota’s cell phone driving laws.

Cell Phone Driving Laws in South Dakota

In South Dakota, you may not lawfully send or read a text message while driving, or you could face a secondary offense. In addition, the law states that you may only use a cell phone while driving for emergency purposes, a global positioning system (GPS), or dialing a phone number.

A secondary offense means that you cannot be pulled over for violating the no-texting rule. However, if you are pulled over for another reason, such as speeding, and you were also reading a text message, you may be cited for both violations.

There Are Restrictions for Novice Drivers

Drivers with a learner’s permit or an intermediate license may not use a cell phone at all while behind the wheel. However, this is also a secondary law, which means it cannot be enforced on its own without an accompanying primary driving violation.

If A Distracted Driver Caused Your Injuries, We’re Here to Help

It is unacceptable for another driver to engage in distracted driving behaviors and cause an injury-sustaining car accident as a result. If this has happened to you through no fault of your own, you may be able to recover compensation for your damages.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to our team right away if you have any questions.

If you or a loved one have been injured in an accident, our lawyers at Whiting Hagg & Dorsey, LLP may be able to help you receive the settlement you deserve. Give us a call at (605) 519-6136 or fill out the online contact form.

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