Reports Show No South Dakota Holiday Traffic Fatalities

State officials say preliminary reports indicate this year’s Thanksgiving holiday was the first in a decade without a traffic fatality on South Dakota’s highways.

The state Public Safety Department reports that 2003 was the last Thanksgiving travel period without a recorded highway fatality in South Dakota. Late reports from the past weekend could change this year’s outcome, but officials as of Monday had received no reports of fatal crashes during the holiday period.

The South Dakota Highway Patrol kicked off the holiday travel period last Wednesday with a statewide effort that put nearly every trooper on the road. The Operation Safe campaign was intended to remind motorists to drive safely during the holiday period.

Officials say motorists should wear seatbelts, obey speed limits and not drink and drive.