Yes.
South Dakota ranks at or near the top nationwide for driving under the influence arrests per capita, according to multiple sources from the past few years.
A report compiled by Forbes ranked the state second for DUI risks, citing the highest number of DUI arrests per licensed driver (879 per 100,000) and a high rate of traffic fatalities being caused by drunken drivers (35.14%). Montana ranks No. 1 in the report and Texas No. 3.
Because each source uses different formulas to determine the rankings, South Dakota’s placement varies, but it’s generally high.
Alcohol.org ranks South Dakota as No. 1 by citing data of 938.8 DUI arrests per 100,000 people, over 100 more than North Dakota.
Factors in South Dakota’s consistently high ranking include the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, frequent sobriety checkpoints, and drivers getting behind the wheel in rural areas and small towns after drinking.
This fact brief responds to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Forbes, Worst states for drunk driving 2025
SDPB, Study: South Dakota has highest per capita DUI arrest rate in nation
Alcohol.org, DUIs arrests and fatalities across the US
Kinney Law, South Dakota is one of the worst states for drunk driving
Addiction Group, Updated Drug and Alcohol Statistics for South Dakota
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This story was produced by South Dakota News Watch, an independent, nonprofit organization. Read more stories and donate at sdnewswatch.org and sign up for an email to get stories when they're published. Contact Michael Klinski at michael.klinski@sdnewswatch.org.
