S.D. Reports Traffic Deaths Decline

According to the state Department of Public Safety, the 145 people killed on South Dakota highways last year dropped 24 percent from 2006.

The department says that’s the fewest number of fatalities since 1993.

The number of fatal crashes ,129, dropped 25 percent, the lowest total in 10 years.

And public safety officials say the number of alcohol-related fatalities dropped 18 percent from 2006 to 2007, the lowest alcohol-related fatality count since 1997. Fifty-nine people died in such crashes last year, compared with 72 in 2006.