Following a year of record low numbers, the number of motor vehicle fatalities in South Dakota climbed back up last year.
The Department of Public Safety says 141 people were killed in 132 motor vehicle crashes in 2020– a 38% increase from 2019 and the state’s highest count since 2007. The 102 fatalities in 88 crashes in 2019 was the lowest number in state history since records started being kept in 1947.
DPS Secretary Craig Price said the three main factors associated with motor vehicle fatalities in 2020 were speed, alcohol use and not wearing a seat belt. He says so far in 2021, fatality numbers are up compared to the same time last year and the same three factors are involved in most of the fatal crashes.
Price says DPS plans to increase safety and enforcement efforts between the Highway Patrol and local law enforcement. He says as the number of vehicle miles continues to increase in South Dakota, it’s even more important that they work with all of their partners to stress the basic safety message: ‘Slow down, pay attention, drive sober and always wear a seat belt.
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