Governor Urges Safe Thanksgiving Holiday Travel

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — Gov. Dennis Daugaard is asking South Dakotans to be safety conscious as they travel over Thanksgiving Day holiday weekend.

The state last year had no highway fatalities during the Thanksgiving Day travel reporting period. It marked the first time in a decade that has happened.

South Dakota recorded 225 highway crashes during the Thanksgiving Day reporting period in 2012, and 48 people were injured. Fifteen of the crashes were alcohol related.

The national Thanksgiving Day holiday fatality reporting period this year runs from 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27 through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 1.

Daugaard is urging motorists to wear seatbelts, obey posted speed limits and avoid distractions.

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