Sioux Falls, S.D. (KELO-AM) - Sioux Falls Police began an unsafe driving campaign in mid-May after receiving many complaints about loud noise from vehicles and unsafe driving. Extra police officers, deputies, and troopers worked the streets around Sioux Falls on Friday, June 5, 2015 and Saturday, June 6, 2015 looking for aggressive, unsafe, and impaired drivers.
While the initial campaign focused on the southeast part of town, the focus has now changed to all areas of Sioux Falls. There were 26 officers that worked Friday night from 7:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. and 22 officers that worked Saturday night from 7:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. On Friday, 329 citations were issued as part of the campaign. This included: 13 DWI arrests, 60 speeding, 4 exhibition driving, 4 drug arrests, 10 driver’s license violations, 7 seatbelt violations, 8 stop light violations, 7 stop sign violations, and 3 motor vehicle noise violations. On Saturday, 189 citations were issued as part of the campaign. This included: 1 DWI arrest, 34 speeding, 13 drug arrests, 11 driver’s license violations, 13 seatbelt violations, 3 stop light violations, and 1 stop sign violation.
Since the focus on unsafe driving began, some residents have expressed their thanks with this added enforcement and have noticed a difference. The extra motor vehicle enforcement will continue in and around Sioux Falls. The enforcement will be handled by the Sioux Falls Police Department, along with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, and South Dakota Highway Patrol.