South Dakota | Slow down and move over campaign
South Dakota | The South Dakota Highway Patrol, State Office of Highway Safety and local law enforcement agencies began a joint campaign today to ask motorists to “slow down and move over’’ when they approach flashing yellow lights that indicate a crash scene or emergency vehicle on the highway.
Last year, motorists who failed to slow down and move over struck 13 Highway Patrol vehicles and injured several troopers. Those troopers were on duty, responding to crashes or other roadside emergencies when they or their vehicles were struck. In addition, motorists struck more than three dozen South Dakota Department of Transportation snowplows as they cleared roads during snowstorms last winter.
“More law enforcement officers and emergency responders are seriously injured or killed in car crashes than in any other line-of-duty threat they face,’’ Col. Craig Price, superintendent of South Dakota Highway Patrol, said. “The law requires motorists to slow down and move over when they see those flashing yellow lights. Some motorists just aren’t doing that, and it puts them, their passengers and the troopers and other responders at risk.’’
The Highway Patrol joined with the Sioux Falls area law enforcement agencies for a news briefing to announce the start of the campaign, which includes billboards, posters and video public service announcements featuring troopers involved in crashes last winter. The “Slow Down and Move Over’’ campaign carries the tag-line, “It’s not just a courtesy. It’s the law.’’
Sioux Falls Police Chief Doug Barthel, Minnehaha County Sheriff Mike Milstead and Lincoln County Sheriff Dennis Johnson joined Highway Patrol Capt. Kevin Joffer in the media briefing on the campaign in Sioux Falls.
“The safety of our officers and the public is paramount,’’ Chief Barthel said. “We can’t respond to other vehicle crashes when we are the victims of a crash ourselves. Please, slow down, for our sake and yours.’’
Violation of the move-over law is a Class 2 misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of $500 and up to 30 days in jail.
The South Dakota Office of Highway Safety is funding the campaign with a federal highway safety grant. Several South Dakota media outlets are partners in the campaign. They include KDLT, KELO, KSFY, KTTW, KEVN, KNBN, KOTA, Knology, Midcontinent Communications, the South Dakota Broadcasters Association and Lamar Advertising Company.
South Dakota | Officials urge James River Valley residents to be flood-smart
Pierre SD | Some stretches of the James River remain well above flood stage as winter nears, and state officials are urging residents in or near the flood plain to continue taking steps to protect themselves and their property.
Officials with the state Departments of Environment and Natural Resources, Agriculture and Public Safety say the James River could remain above flood stage as the winter freeze arrives, setting the stage for more flooding next spring.
Information from DENR shows that in the past three years, the James River has dropped below flood stage by fall. This year, the James River continues to run as much as three and one-half feet above flood stage. That curtails drainage of tributaries throughout the river basin, leaving standing water in sloughs and low spots entering the winter freeze.
“Obviously, if the river is at or above flood stage going into winter, the likelihood of high water levels and flooding next spring is increased,’’ said Public Safety Secretary Trevor Jones. “Residents of the river valley should be aware of the river flows and take steps to protect themselves and their property through the winter and into next spring.’’
Assessing future need for sandbags or other flood-protection measures and identifying where to obtain those materials would be an important preparatory step for those in or near the river valley. Other steps include checking on the sump pump if one is in use, considering a battery-operated backup pump or obtaining a portable electrical generator, keeping furniture and other valuable items safely out of flood areas and making sure valuable papers and records are stored in a waterproof area.
Residents should also pay close attention to changing weather conditions and water levels and be especially aware of road conditions when traveling through flooded areas. Some roads may remain flooded or saturated and impassable for an extended period of time, and residents are encouraged to prepare for lack of normal access and travel routes in some areas.
The James River has flooded several times in recent years and has been out of its banks for much of this year, much of the public infrastructure has been moved from the flood plain, and most residents have moved their property to higher ground. Agriculture Secretary Walt Bones says operators of farms and ranches in the area should be cautious about moving any machinery or livestock back into the flood plain.
“The best safety message is, if you are out of the flood plain, please don’t put yourself back into a dangerous situation,’’ Bones said . “High water conditions could be around for a long time. We know producers have suffered through a long stretch of flooding. It is really frustrating. We just encourage everyone to remain vigilant and make safe, smart choices.’’
Higher than normal releases from the Jamestown and Pipestem dams in North Dakota have contributed to the high flows on the James River in 2011. While much of the fall was dry in South Dakota, parts of North Dakota had above-normal rainfall. That prevented the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from reducing releases from the two dams until recently. Because it can take a month or more for water in the James River to move through South Dakota, it’s uncertain whether the recently reduced flows will significantly lower the chances of flooding next spring.
South Dakota | Two killed, one injured in two-vehicle MVC in Harding County
Harding County SD | Two people were killed and one person was injured in a two-vehicle crash on US Highway 85 about two miles south of Ludlow SD [Harding County] on Sunday afternoon [Nov 20th].
The 21-year-old and 61-year-old occupants of a car were killed when the vehicle was struck by a pickup truck. The 34-year-old driver of the pickup truck suffered minor injuries.
The exact case of the crash is still being investigated. All occupants were wearing seatbelts.
The South Dakota Highway Patrol is investigating. Harding County Sheriff’s Office, Ludlow Fire Department, Buffalo Ambulance, Bowman, N.D., Fire Department and Bowman Ambulance assisted.
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