PIERRE, S.D.(KCCR)- A second option for contacting help in an emergency is now available in South Dakota.  South Dakota Department of Public Safety Secretary Craig Price says you can now text your emergency to 911.

Price says the service can help when a phone call is just not an option.

The program will let you know if the text got to a dispatch center or not.

People who are unable to call 9-1-1, should remember these steps about Text-to-9-1-1:

• Don’t text and drive.
• In the first text message, send the location and type of emergency.
• Text in simple words; keep the text message short without the use of abbreviations or slang.
• Be prepared to answer questions and follow instructions from the 9-1-1 call taker.
• Voice calls to 9-1-1 are still the best and fastest way to contact 9-1-1.
• Call 9-1-1 if you can, text if you can’t.

For more information on the Text-to-9-1-1 program in South Dakota, visit text911sd.com.