80 mph Speed Limits Have Not Increased Highway Fatalities In South Dakota

If you're one of those people who loves to complain that drivers are too slow, too fast, too reckless, too impaired, or just happen to be from Iowa, sorry, Iowans, we still love your corn, you might be surprised to learn that we South Dakotans are actually pretty decent behind the wheel, especially when we're flying down the highway like it’s the Daytona 500... legally, of course.

Dakota News Now reports that a recent study found South Dakota drivers have managed to keep things surprisingly safe since the state cranked up the speed limit from 75 to 80 mph in 2015. That’s right, while other states saw crash fatalities spike like bad cholesterol numbers, ours have stayed about the same. Evidently, we South Dakotans can handle our speed without turning our roads and highways into a glorified bumper car ride at the Sioux Empire Fair.

South Dakota is one of just eight states that lets drivers legally hit 80 mph on interstates and certain highways.

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According to the study, highway fatalities have remained relatively flat. We’re talking 135 fatalities in 2014 (pre-speed boost), 134 in 2015 (when the limit jumped), and 140 in 2024. Statistically speaking, that’s about as flat as my thirteen-year-old girlfriend was back in my youth.

So, go ahead, South Dakota drivers, give yourselves a gold star, or at least a celebratory honk. You’re doing something right.

Interestingly, our worst year for road fatalities was way back in 2003, with 203 deaths, long before we got the 80 mph speed limit. So maybe the real danger wasn’t speed, but the terrifying lack of driver assist technology.

The study credits safer cars and smarter structural designs for keeping the fatality numbers steady.

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On a national level, every time a speed limit goes up by 5 mph, road deaths typically rise by 8.5%. Apparently, South Dakota isn't populated with a bunch of crash test dummies, because we somehow kept things in check.

So, the next time someone complains about your driving, whether you’re cruising, speeding, or from Presho, remind them: we may be kinda fast in South Dakota, but we’re not foolish.

Source: Dakota News Now