Traffic Enforcement

Traffic Enforcement
Traffic accidents interrupt lives and families, the flow of traffic and cost major money. In 2010, Hamlin County saw 155 reported traffic accidents with over $709,500 in property damage. 27 people were injured and four people were killed in 2010 as a result of accidents in Hamlin County.

The goal in traffic enforcement is to reduce serous accidents within the county and help keep our roads safer. The Hamlin County Sheriff's Office wrote 672 traffic violations in 2010 with majority being speed violations. Last year 1 out of 13 accidents in Hamlin County list speed as a factor in the crash. The Hamlin County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement within four communities, Lake Poinsett, and the rural areas of Hamlin County.

Mock Accident for Students at the Hamlin School (Spring 2011)

The South Dakota Highway Patrol also aids the sheriff's office with traffic enforcement and investigates serous accidents within the county. The Estelline and Hayti Police Departments enforce traffic laws within their communities with the help of the sheriff's office and the South Dakota Highway Patrol. If you have a traffic complaint or would like to report an area of concern, please feel free to contract our office at (605) 783-3232.

What to do if your stop by a Law Enforcement?
1) Stop your vehicle as soon as possible to a safe location.
2) DO NOT GET OUT OF YOUR VEHICLE, unless your instructed to do so.
3) Keep your hands visible to the officer.
4) If your carrying a firearm or any other weapon, let the officer know!
5) Follow the directions of the officer.
6) If you have any questions, make sure to ask the officer.
6) Do not argue with the officer. If you have a concern with the ticket, please contact the sheriff or state's attorney.
7) When the traffic stop is done, enter traffic with caution.

Saturation Patrol
Saturation patrols are conducted throughout the year in many different locations in the county. The goal of the saturation patrol is to reduce traffic violations and to reduce the number of accidents in a small area. During a saturation patrol, the Hamlin County Sheriff's Office pays close attention to speed, seatbelt, and alcohol/drug violations. In Hamlin County, 1 out of 13 accidents were a result of speed and 1 out of 22 accidents were cause by drunk drivers or drugs were involved. Stats have shown that these violations have been leading causes of fatal accidents nationwide. If you have a request for a saturation patrol, please contact us.

Speed Radar Trailer
The Hamlin County Sheriff's Office had applied and was approved by the Hamlin County Commissioners in the spring of 2010 to proceed with grant to obtain a speed radar trailer. This trailer was purchased in the first part of 2011 and started its service on April 1st, 2011. The grant paid 80% of the project with the county paying 20% of the trailer and shipping cost. This trailer alerts motorist of their speed and creates reports for the number of vehicles traveled, the average speed and the number of speeders at the location. These reports will help in future grants in highway maintenance and safety.
More Information, Reports and Location of the Trailer