RAPID CITY, S.D. – South Dakota ranks among the highest states in the nation for traffic deaths involving people who were not wearing seat belts.
According to federal highway safety data, 57 percent of traffic fatalities in South Dakota involved unrestrained occupants in 2024, the fifth-highest rate in the country. Neighboring Wyoming ranked first, with 61 percent.
Pennington County Sheriff’s Office officials say seat belts are one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent serious injuries and deaths in crashes. They note that people wearing seat belts are far less likely to be ejected from a vehicle, a factor that dramatically increases the risk of fatal injuries.
Deputies say young adults between the ages of 18 and 34 account for a large share of unbelted traffic deaths, with men making up the majority of those fatalities.
While South Dakota law requires seat belts for front-seat occupants and all minors, law enforcement officials are reminding everyone, including back-seat passengers, to buckle up. They say rural roads and hazards such as deer collisions can turn dangerous in an instant, making seat belt use critical no matter how short the trip.
