South Dakota Traffic Rule 2025 Update: Understanding the Right Turn on Red Rule

As drivers navigate the roads of South Dakota in 2025, understanding the rules around right turns on red is essential for both safety and compliance. The state’s approach to this common traffic maneuver remains largely unchanged from previous years, but it’s important to stay informed about both the law and any local exceptions.

The Basics: Right Turn on Red in South Dakota

South Dakota law permits drivers to make a right turn after stopping at a steady red light or stop signal, provided they yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and any oncoming traffic proceeding as directed by the signal. This rule is standard across the state unless a local ordinance or posted sign specifically prohibits it.

Key requirements include:

Complete Stop: Drivers must come to a full stop before turning right on red.
Yield to Pedestrians and Traffic: After stopping, drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and to any vehicles with the right-of-way.
Watch for Local Restrictions: Some intersections may have local ordinances or signs that prohibit right turns on red, so always check for posted notices.

What About Red Arrows?

A common point of confusion is whether a right turn on a red arrow is permitted. According to South Dakota Department of Transportation guidance, a right turn on a red arrow is generally not allowed unless a sign specifically indicates otherwise.

This means drivers should treat a red arrow as a prohibition unless signage at the intersection states that a right turn is permitted.

Left Turn on Red: The Local Option

While right turns on red are widely permitted, left turns on red are handled differently. In South Dakota, local jurisdictions have the option to allow left turns on red at the intersection of two one-way streets. Where permitted by local ordinance, drivers may turn left on red after stopping, but this is not a statewide rule.

Penalties for Violations

Failing to obey traffic signals—such as running a red light or making an illegal turn on red—can result in a class 2 misdemeanor. Consequences may include fines (typically around $122.50, including fees), demerit points on your driving record, and in rare cases, up to 30 days in jail. Accumulating too many demerit points can lead to license suspension.

National Context and Safety Considerations

South Dakota’s right turn on red policy aligns with the majority of U.S. states, where such turns are permitted unless restricted.

However, there is a growing national conversation about pedestrian safety, with some cities and states reconsidering or restricting right turns on red due to concerns about increased risks to pedestrians—especially in areas with heavy foot traffic.

For now, South Dakota maintains its current rules, but drivers should remain vigilant for any future changes.

Summary Table

Scenario	Allowed in South Dakota?	Notes
Right turn on red (steady light)	Yes	After stop, yield to pedestrians and traffic
Right turn on red arrow	No (unless sign allows)	Treat red arrow as a prohibition unless otherwise posted
Left turn on red	Local option (two one-way roads)	Only if local ordinance permits