The state of South Dakota has two main speeding laws that should be followed if you are driving in the state: absolute limits and basic speeding law. Like many other states, these two speeding laws cover the majority of cases for speeding violations. I will talk about the penalties and consequences you can face if you are caught speeding in this article.
Speeding in South Dakota
The absolute speed limit in this state is simply stated. If you are exceeding the posted limit, you are breaking the law. Absolute speed limits are limits that are consistent across types of driving areas. For example, there is a universal speed limit for all highways, all school zones, or all interstates throughout the state. In this case, if you are driving on a highway, for instance, you don’t need to look for posted signs telling you the speed limit. You will just know that all highways have a limit of 65 miles per hour.
The absolute speed limits include:
- 15 mph in schools zones with children
- 25 mph in urban districts
- 55 mph on township roads
- 65 mph on highways and roads
- 80 mph on interstates
The basic speeding law states that driving at an unreasonable speed in certain conditions is prohibited. You might be following the maximum speed limit posted, but during situations such as rain or traffic, you are required to slow down. A violation of the law would be continuing the same speed in reckless manner.
Consequences of Speeding in South Dakota
The cost of a speeding ticket varies by how fast the driver was going.
- $85 for 1-5 mph over the limit
- $105 for 6-10 mph over the limit
- $125 for 11-15 mph over the limit
- $145 for 16-20 mph over the limit
- $165 for 21-25 mph over the limit
- $200 for 26+ mph over the limit
If you are pulled over in a construction area, fines are doubled so keep that in mind while traveling. One good thing to consider is that in South Dakota, speeding tickets don’t typically add points to your license.
How to Get Help
If you or someone you know is dealing with a speeding violation, contact our office for additional information. We can put you in touch with a South Dakota motor vehicle violation attorney who could potentially help you reduce these penalties or have the ticket dismissed. This can sometimes be achieved if you choose to fight the speeding ticket. Of course, you should consult with an attorney before making this decision. We are happy to help in any way we can!
