South Dakota truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in South Dakota: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes, dangerous roads, seasonality and route safety data for fleets.
Where fatal truck crashes happened
Risk scorecard
Key findings
Snapshot
Crashes by month
Garbage trucks vs all trucks
8.7 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 5.2 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How South Dakota compares with United States
South Dakota against United States, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where South Dakota stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | South Dakota | United States | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 42.0 | 49.7 | 15% below the US |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 5.2 | 3.4 | 1.5× the US |
| Injuries per crash | 0.13 | 0.49 | 73% below the US |
| Garbage-truck share | 1.6% | 2.3% | 31% below the US |
| On snow, slush or ice | 28.6% | 6.2% | 4.6× the US |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 22.2% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 17.5% | 13.8% | 1.3× the US |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 48.8% | 41.9% | 1.2× the US |
| After dark | 22.8% | 24.8% | 8% below the US |
South Dakota sits below the US on crashes per 100k residents / yr, injuries per crash and garbage-truck share. It runs above the US on deaths per 100 crashes, on snow, slush or ice and in rain, sleet or snow.
South Dakota at a glance: 28.6% share of truck crashes on snow, slush or ice (the US: 6.2%).
Overview
Police reported 4,608 crashes involving commercial trucks in South Dakota since 2015: 623 people were injured and 241 were killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly 1 truck crash every day.
When crashes happen
The worst month is December with 11.3% of truck crashes; the quietest is April at 6.0%.
The five winter months (November to March) hold 48.8% of truck crashes, against 41.9% across the US.
By time of day, 10–11 am stands out with 7.6% of truck crashes.
Road surface: 28.6% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (the US: 6.2%).
Where crashes happen
The deadliest road for trucks in South Dakota is I-90, with 22 fatal large-truck crashes since 2015. It is followed by I-29 (14), US-14 (9) and US-212 (9).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 73 crashes, 1.6% of the total, against 2.3% across the US.
The most garbage-truck crashes happen in March (18%).
Per 100 crashes, garbage trucks recorded 8.7 deaths compared with 5.2 for all trucks.
Route planning tips for South Dakota fleets
- Review driver schedules for December, the month with the most truck crashes.
- Check whether your routes use I-90, the road with the most fatal truck crashes in this area.
- Garbage-truck crashes here peak in March; review collection routes for that month.
- Icy and snowy roads show up in 28.6% of truck crashes here, more than the US; schedule winter checks early.
- Check your own stops for crash hotspots and low bridges with the free Route Planner.
About the data
Sources: the FMCSA crash file for all reported truck crashes and NHTSA FARS for fatal crashes with a large truck. Every statement here comes straight from those numbers.
Truck crashes by year: all trucks vs garbage trucks
Seasonality: when trucks crash in South Dakota
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (in South Dakota) |
|---|---|
| I-90 | 22 |
| I-29 | 14 |
| US-14 | 9 |
| US-212 | 9 |
| SR-34 | 7 |
| SR-37 | 7 |
| SR-79 | 7 |
| US-12 | 6 |
| US-18 | 6 |
| SR-42 | 5 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (South Dakota) |
|---|---|
| I-90 | 951 |
| I-29 | 652 |
| Ave | 240 |
| US-12 | 168 |
| US-212 | 132 |
| US-14 | 122 |
| US-18 | 120 |
| Sd Hwy 34 | 113 |
South Dakota at a glance
| Population | 924,669 |
| Land area | 75,807.9 sq mi |
| Density | 12 per sq mi |
Historical data: truck crashes in South Dakota since the 1990s
Combines the FMCSA crash file (all reported truck crashes, real coverage from about 1990) with NHTSA FARS (fatal crashes involving a large truck, 1982–2024).
| Decade | Truck crashes / yr | Change | Fatal crashes / yr (FARS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 234 | — | 16.0 |
| 2000s | 296 | +27% | 15.5 |
| 2010s | 351 | +19% | 15.4 |
| 2020s | 433 | +23% | 24.0 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 234 a year in the 1990s and 433 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal large-truck crashes: 15.0 a year in 2016–19, 24.0 a year in 2020–24.
Counties in South Dakota
Largest places in South Dakota
Nearby states
Questions fleets ask about South Dakota
How many truck crashes happen in South Dakota?
4,608 truck crashes have been reported in South Dakota since 2015, with 241 deaths and 623 injuries.
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in South Dakota?
Since 2015, I-90 has had the most fatal large-truck crashes in South Dakota: 22.
When do most truck crashes happen in South Dakota?
Truck crashes in South Dakota peak in December, with 11.3% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in South Dakota?
73 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in South Dakota since 2015, 1.6% of all truck crashes.
How does South Dakota compare with the US for truck crashes?
Per 100,000 residents, South Dakota has 42.0 truck crashes a year; the US has 49.7.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in South Dakota?
Use the free Route Planner: enter your stops to get a risk score, safer alternatives and the low bridges on your route.
2026 is a partial year. Updated October 2026.