South Dakota’s highways have seen an alarming number of fatal crashes this month.  While July isn’t over yet, 19 people have already lost their life in an auto accident.  Director of Highway Safety, Lee Axdahl says many of the deaths seen throughout the year could be prevented with the simple use of a seatbelt…

 

Axdahl says the number of highway fatalities this year, as a whole, is still down from 2014, but the month of July could change that…

 

Axdahl says that in addition to not wearing a seatbelt, speed and alcohol were also factors in the crashes so far this month.  He says the Office of Highway Safety is working on public events and advertising campaigns to increase awareness and educate drivers.  Highway Patrol officers are also conducting more frequent sobriety checkpoints to decrease drunken driving.