South Dakota’s DUI Arrest Rates Highest in the Nation

Here’s a stat that should make every South Dakota driver do a double-take, and hopefully make them hand over the keys after they've had too much to drink: South Dakota leads the nation in DUI arrests per capita.

Unfortunately, the Mount Rushmore State is topping a list that we don't want bragging rights for. According to Dakota News Now, South Dakota records the highest number of DUI arrests per 100,000 people in the country. In 2024 alone, there were roughly 670 drunk driving arrests statewide, nearly double the national average.

That’s a tough pill to swallow, especially when you think about how often we’re out enjoying local favorites, like downtown Sioux Falls breweries, city events, and backyard get-togethers. Unfortunately, too many of those types of things end with someone getting behind the wheel when they shouldn’t.

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So what’s being done to combat this ugly stat?

Law enforcement agencies across South Dakota, including right here in the Sioux Empire, have ramped up DUI sobriety checkpoints. Funded by state and federal highway safety dollars, these checkpoints are designed to catch impaired drivers before they can cause serious harm. You’ve probably seen them set up on major Sioux Falls routes during weekends or holidays.

The good news. This coordinated, multi-agency effort appears to be making a difference. Despite the high arrest rate, South Dakota’s DUI-related fatality rate is actually lower than the national average, hovering around one death per 100,000 people.

Still, not every corner of the state is seeing the same progress. Counties like Lyman and Buffalo continue to struggle with higher rates of impaired driving incidents, showing there’s more work to be done.

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For Sioux Falls drivers and anyone traveling across South Dakota, the message is simple: plan ahead. Whether it’s a rideshare, a designated driver, or crashing on a friend’s couch, there are plenty of safer options than getting behind the wheel of your car drunk.

No night out at your favorite local spot is worth risking your life or the life of someone else. Bottom line: Think before you drink!