South Dakota’s one-hundred-fifteen traffic fatalities in 2016 are expected to be the lowest since 2011 and second lowest since 1960. Official numbers are not expected for several weeks, but the final number is not expected to dramatically change. The total last year was down 14.2 percent from the one-hundred-thirty-four fatalities reported in 2015.

State Office of Highway Safety director Lee Axdahl says the lower numbers can attributed to safety campaigns targeting drivers…

The number of fatal crashes also was down – One-hundred-and-two in 2016 compared to one-hundred-sixteen in 2015. Axdahl says there’s a big reason for that…

The Highway Patrol has also been involved in that safety effort. Along with the normal enforcement and education, troopers were instructed last month to start issuing citations for any vehicle occupant not wearing a seatbelt. Axdahl has advice for drivers who want to stay safe on South Dakota highways..

The Office of Highway Safety and the Highway Patrol are part of the Department of Public Safety.