Rapid City Officials Say There is No Interest in Texting Ban

Rapid City,S.D., officials say they’re in no hurry to join seven of the largest cities in South Dakota that have passed laws that prohibit texting when driving.

The Rapid City Journal reports that South Dakota is one of nine states without a statewide band on texting or cell phone use. But bans have been passed through city ordinances in Sioux Falls, Mitchell, Watertown, Brookings, Vermillion and Huron.

Rapid City officials say citizens have not shown interest in a texting ban. City attorney Joel Landeen says the only people who call him about it are reporters.

Rapid City council member Charity Doyle says she would personally support a texting ban as a mother with a teenage daughter, but she is skeptical about the ability of police to enforce it.