PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — Gov. Dennis Daugaard is asking residents to drive safely as the Fourth of July holiday approaches, and South Dakota Highway Patrol troopers are out in force.
The patrol says the stepped-up effort comes after a weekend during which five fatal crashes resulted in eight deaths.
Daugaard says that nearly all crashes can be avoided, but every person must take personal responsibility and do his or her part. This includes wearing a seatbelt, obeying speed limits and other traffic laws, avoiding distractions when driving and not drinking and driving.
Two people died on South Dakota roads last year during the July Fourth holiday reporting period. Another 42 people were injured in 127 crashes in 2011.
