Police probably issue more speeding tickets than any other type of citation. But each state has different speeding laws and penalties. This article covers how South Dakota's speed limits work and the consequences of a speeding ticket in the state.
South Dakota has two types of speeding laws: "absolute limits" and a "basic speeding law." Below, we explain how these two speed limits differ.
There's nothing tricky about how South Dakota's absolute speed limits work: If the absolute speed limit is 50 miles per hour and you drive faster than that, you've violated the law. Unless otherwise posted, South Dakota's absolute speed limits are:
But as explained below, you can still get a speeding ticket even without exceeding an absolute limit.
Notwithstanding the absolute limits, South Dakota's basic speeding law prohibits driving at a speed that is "greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions then existing." In other words, motorists must always drive at a safe speed. (S.D. Codified Laws § 32-25-3 (2024).)
What a safe speed is will depend on the circumstances. For instance, 55 miles per hour might be safe on a bright, sunny day. But if it's dark and the road is icy, going 55 miles per hour could be dangerous and a violation of the basic speeding law.
Speeding is a class 2 misdemeanor in South Dakota. For a violation, the driver will have to pay a fine plus court fees. Generally, the total of these two amounts is:
However, fines for speeding violations in construction zones are doubled. So the total amount the driver pays will be more than that for other speeding offenses.
A speeding ticket typically will add two points to a motorist's driving record.
Depending on the circumstances, a speeding violation can lead to a "reckless driving" conviction. And if a motorist causes the death of another person while speeding, vehicular homicide charges are possible.