South Dakota Sees Significant Drop In Traffic Fatalities In 2025

South Dakota roads are safer than they've been in quite a while.

New numbers from the South Dakota Department of Public Safety’s Office of Accident Records show that in 2025, the state saw 110 fatal crashes resulting in 123 deaths, marking a five-year low.

The total represents a nearly 17 percent decrease in the number of fatalities from 2024, with 25 fewer deaths statewide, and a nearly 19 percent decrease in the number of fatal crashes.

It's not all good news, though.

Data shows seat belt use remains a critical safety issue in South Dakota. Of the fatalities where seat belt use was applicable, more than half (59%) of those deaths included people who were not wearing their seat belts.

Twenty-one fatalities were attributed to excessive speed, compared to 27 the previous year, showing a 22 percent decrease. The five-year average for speed-related fatalities is 36.

Twenty-three of the 123 fatalities last year included motorcyclists. Motorcycle fatalities showed a significant reduction last year, representing a 30% decline from 2024. Last year, 376 basic rider motorcycle safety courses were provided to 1,876 students, and 28 advanced braking and cornering clinics trained 78 students.

Alcohol-related fatalities increased slightly in 2025. Thirty-five deaths were linked to impaired driving, up from 33 in 2024, a 6% increase. The five-year average for alcohol-related fatalities is 45.

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LOOK: Most dangerous states to drive in

Stacker used the Federal Highway Administration's 2020 Highway Statistics report to rank states by the fatalities per billion miles traveled.

Gallery Credit: Katherine Gallagher

The Most Road Rage Inducing Spots in Sioux Falls

More than anything, I'm holding out for Star Trek transporter technology. I'm not necessarily not excited about driverless cars. I for sure would be happy to not have to drive anymore. But, I don't want to do that until EVERYONE ELSE does it too.

Driving is not worth it. Even in Sioux Falls, there are plenty of opportunities to send your blood pressure into the red when wading through traffic.

Road Rage and driving in Sioux Falls go hand in hand, so much so that when we asked locals "Where do you get the worst road rage in Sioux Falls?" people had very strong opinions:

Gallery Credit: Ben Kuhns

Worst Parking Lots in Sioux Falls Metro

Let's face it, some of the parking lots in the Sioux Falls metro are pretty hard to navigate. Sometimes it feels as though you're taking a risk driving through them on a busy day.

We made a list of some of the worst parking lots in the Sioux Falls Metro. Be extra careful while guiding your vehicle in these tricky lots.

Is the parking lot you dread driving in the most on this list? Take a look and find out.

Source: South Dakota Traffic Deaths Hit A Five-year Low In 2025