House votes down bill to standardize drivers’ ed

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PIERRE (AP) — A measure that would set up a coordinated drivers’ education system with statewide standards for course content, instruction, testing and instructor certification has failed in the South Dakota House.

The bill was one of a handful to come out of the Task Force on Teen Driving Safety.

The Senate Transportation Committee last week attached a $50,000 appropriation to the bill, which forced sponsors to get a two-thirds vote. Two attempts to strip the appropriation failed, and the bill twice couldn’t garner two-thirds support.

Democratic Rep. Peggy Gibson of Huron argued that the federal government is providing money to hire a drivers’ education coordinator so the appropriation is unnecessary.

But Republican Rep. Lance Russell of Hot Springs says he’s concerned about sequestration and whether the money would be available.

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