Why You Should Think Twice About Jaywalking in South Dakota

Jaywalking might not seem like a big deal to most people. However, it's a different story when you're driving on the road.

People jaywalk all the time and never give it a second thought. But did you know that jaywalking is actually recognized as an illegal crime in some states? So does this list include South Dakota?

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For those who aren't familiar with this term, jaywalking is defined in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as someone who crosses "a street carelessly or in an illegal manner so as to be endangered by traffic." In other words, a pedestrian who is crossing the street without using a crosswalk and having no regard for oncoming traffic is considered jaywalking.

I remember when I took a trip to Savannah, Georgia with my Girl Scout Troop “waaay” back when. During our visit, our tour guide made it a point to always remind us to use the crosswalks when we crossed the streets. Why? Well, at the time, jaywalking was illegal, and the police could issue you a ticket for this offense.

Can you receive a traffic violation if you jaywalk in South Dakota? According to the South Dakota State Legislature, this would be considered a "petty offense." South Dakota law states, "Every pedestrian crossing a highway within a business or residence district at any point other than a pedestrian crossing, crosswalk, or intersection shall yield the right-of-way to vehicles upon the highway." So technically yes, you can receive a ticket for jaywalking in South Dakota.

In general, just use the crosswalks. It can ultimately save you a lot of aggravation as well as keep you safe while you're exploring the state.