South Dakota: Camera Tickets And Your Rights

South Dakota has a ban on photo tickets, including red light and speed cameras, within state borders. This means that South Dakotans are protected from receiving red light camera tickets issued by photo enforcement within the state. However, this does not mean that South Dakotans are exempt from all camera tickets. In certain cases, such as when driving in a different state or in specific areas with unique regulations, South Dakotans may still be subject to camera tickets. For example, there have been reports of South Dakotans receiving speeding tickets from automatic speed cameras in Sioux City, Iowa. While South Dakota has laws in place to protect its residents' information from being shared for civil penalties, it does not provide complete immunity from out-of-state camera tickets.

South Dakota law prohibits the sharing of law enforcement information for civil penalties

South Dakota has enacted a law that prohibits the sharing of law enforcement information for civil penalties, specifically targeting automated traffic systems and speed cameras. This law is a response to the use of speed cameras in neighbouring Iowa, particularly in Sioux City, which had resulted in South Dakota residents receiving speeding tickets. The law does not grant immunity to South Dakota residents from out-of-state speed camera tickets, but it does make it more difficult for other states to enforce these fines.

The law prevents South Dakota officials from providing full driver registration information to companies that operate speed cameras, such as Redflex, the manufacturer of the cameras used in Sioux City. While Sioux City police can still obtain some information through the NLETS law enforcement information-sharing system, they must also rely on photographs of license plates to track down vehicle owners. This process is not always accurate, as evidenced by one individual who received a ticket with an incorrect address.

The South Dakota Legislature's stance against speed cameras is reflected in their passage of several laws targeting civil fines from automated traffic systems. These laws effectively bar state officials from sharing information with camera operators and classify speeding notices as municipal citations. The state's efforts to protect its residents from out-of-state camera tickets are further demonstrated by House Bill 1122, which blocks other states from converting a license plate into the name and address of a South Dakota vehicle owner. This bill also prohibits the Department of Public Safety and the Division of Motor Vehicles from sharing information with other states for the purpose of imposing or collecting civil fines related to red light or speed camera violations.

The impact of South Dakota's law prohibiting the sharing of law enforcement information for civil penalties extends beyond its own borders. It has sparked discussions about interstate cooperation and reciprocity between states. Some Iowa lawmakers have expressed concerns about the potential for a "war of reciprocity", where states may pass laws that hinder each other's ability to enforce policies. However, despite the controversy, South Dakota's law remains in place, providing its residents with a level of protection from Iowa's traffic camera tickets.

South Dakota banned traffic cameras in 2024

South Dakota has taken a firm stance against traffic cameras, with lawmakers enacting sweeping restrictions to protect its residents from out-of-state traffic camera tickets. This move comes as a response to the frustrations of South Dakotans who have been targeted by predatory speed traps, particularly in neighbouring Iowa.

The state's license plates will become invisible to photo enforcement cameras, effectively shielding residents from automated citations issued in other states. This change will come into effect on July 1, 2024, thanks to a pair of bills signed into law by Governor Dennis Daugaard. The laws specifically target the sharing of law enforcement information for civil penalties, preventing other states from converting a license plate into the name and address of a vehicle owner.

The legislation also includes a ban on the use of red-light cameras within South Dakota's borders, although it does not prohibit the use of state speed cameras. This decision stems from the belief that red-light camera programs violate state law by imposing civil penalties without legislative authorization.

The ban has sparked debate among lawmakers in neighbouring states, with some expressing concerns about the impact on interstate cooperation and reciprocity between states. Despite this, South Dakota's laws stand as a testament to the state's commitment to protecting the rights and privacy of its residents.

While South Dakota has taken a strong stand against traffic cameras, it's important to note that the enforcement of these laws may vary depending on the regulations of other states. For example, Arizona and California may be exempt from the new law as they treat traffic camera tickets as criminal charges. Nonetheless, South Dakota's ban on traffic cameras sends a clear message about the state's priorities and its willingness to challenge the status quo.

South Dakota residents are exempt from Iowa traffic camera tickets

However, this does not mean that South Dakotans are immune from Iowa traffic camera tickets. Iowa has found workarounds to the law, such as using the NLETS law enforcement information-sharing system to gather a driver's name and county information from the camera's photographs of the license plate. This allows them to track down an address and send a ticket.

While South Dakota's law creates an obstacle for Iowa, it does not provide full immunity to South Dakota residents from out-of-state camera tickets. The law has faced criticism from Iowa law enforcement officials and legislators, who argue that it hinders interstate cooperation and creates a conflict in public policy.

Despite the law, South Dakotans who receive Iowa traffic camera tickets may still have to pay the fine. Failure to do so could result in additional fees and the matter being sent to a collection agency, which may affect their credit rating.

South Dakotans are not immune from Sioux City speed camera tickets

South Dakotans are not immune from receiving tickets from the infamous Sioux City, Iowa, automatic speed cameras. While South Dakota has enacted laws to prevent information sharing for the purpose of civil penalties, Sioux City police can still track down South Dakota drivers via a workaround.

In 2014, South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard signed House Bill 1122 into law, which was intended to give South Dakota residents the ability to ignore automated traffic cameras. The law prevents the sharing of law enforcement information for civil penalties, and blocks other states from converting a license plate into the name and address of a South Dakota vehicle owner.

However, this does not mean that South Dakotans are immune from receiving tickets. Sioux City police can still issue tickets to South Dakota drivers by using a workaround to identify them. As reported by John Hult in 2016, the police can gather a driver's name provided by South Dakota through the NLETS law enforcement information-sharing system and county information from the camera's photographs of the car's license plate.

While the South Dakota Legislature has passed laws targeting civil fines from automated traffic systems, these laws do not provide immunity from citations. Instead, they make it more difficult for Sioux City police to track down and demand payment from South Dakota drivers.

It is important to note that the speeding notices issued by the Sioux City police are considered municipal citations. Failure to pay these fines can result in additional fees and the matter being sent to a collection agency, which may affect your credit rating.

In summary, while South Dakota has laws in place to protect its residents from Iowa traffic camera tickets, it does not provide complete immunity. Sioux City police can still issue tickets to South Dakota drivers and there can be consequences for failing to pay these fines.

South Dakota law dictates how the state interacts with Iowa on traffic camera tickets

South Dakota law does indeed dictate how the state interacts with Iowa on traffic camera tickets. In 2014, South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard signed a bill into law that prevents the sharing of law enforcement information for civil penalties. This means that South Dakota can prevent Iowa from enforcing its automated traffic camera fines on South Dakota residents.

The law was a response to South Dakota residents receiving tickets from Iowa's traffic cameras. The South Dakota Legislature is not a fan of speed cameras and has passed laws targeting civil fines from automated traffic systems. While the law does not give South Dakotans immunity from Iowa's speed cameras, it does make it harder for Iowa police to track down drivers and demand payment. The law blocks Iowa from converting a license plate into the name and address of a South Dakota vehicle owner, cutting off the ability to ticket residents.

However, Iowa police can still use workarounds to track down South Dakota drivers. They can gather a driver's name through the NLETS law enforcement information-sharing system and use the camera's photographs of the license plate to track down an address.

The law has raised concerns about interstate cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the potential for a "war of reciprocity" between states. Despite this, the law gives South Dakota residents the ability to avoid Iowa's automated traffic cameras without fear of repercussions.

Frequently asked questions