Disclaimer
This article was written by a contributing author, and is not meant to be taken as legal advice, nor is it intended to replace the state statutes. Do your due diligence, cross-check the statutes linked, and communicate with your local municipalities, registrar, or commissioner to ensure that you remain compliant and avoid costly fees.
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State Overview
Before delving into the specifics of the South Dakota emergency vehicle light statutes, it’s important to define a few of the most commonly used terms. Let’s define what an authorized emergency vehicle is, and what the difference is between warning and emergency lights.
Warning lights are used to alert motorists of slow-moving vehicles, or to ensure the safety of others. They’re typically amber, or other defined colors. Emergency lights on the other hand are most commonly either red or blue. Emergency lights are installed on an authorized emergency vehicle to be driven only by emergency personnel.
According to section 32-14-1 of the South Dakota traffic law and emergency vehicle light statutes, an authorized emergency vehicle is considered any vehicle that belongs to the police department, fire department, is an ambulance, or an emergency vehicle as designated by the department. These vehicles are typically only allowed to use their emergency lights as long as they are on the way to or from an emergency.
Now that you know the basic terms, we can move on to more specific uses of the emergency vehicle lights.
Law Enforcement Statutes
Police and Sheriff Vehicles
According to section 32.17.45 of the South Dakota emergency vehicle light statutes, law enforcement vehicles are permitted the use of red and blue lights. These lights can be rotating or flashing, as described in section 32.31.4, and must be visible from 180 degrees of the front of the authorized emergency vehicle.
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Fire and EMT
Fire Truck & Fire Chief SUVs
A fire truck or fire chief SUV is considered to be an authorized emergency vehicle in accordance with South Dakota emergency vehicle light statutes. In section 32-17-42, it is explained that the fire department is permitted the use of blue emergency lights. Additionally, section 32-26-15 mentions that the fire department is also allowed to use red and white flashing lights.
Volunteer Fire Fighter Vehicles
A volunteer fire fighter vehicle is also considered an authorized emergency vehicle. While section 32-17-42 describes the emergency lights permitted for firefighters, it does not mention info for volunteer firefighters. If the firefighter vehicle light statutes apply to the volunteer fire fighter vehicles, then they would also be allowed the use of blue emergency lights to and from emergencies. Kindly confirm with the South Dakota DOT here.
Ambulance & EMT Vehicles
An ambulance and EMT vehicle is considered an authorized emergency vehicle based on the definition provided previously in the introduction. Section 32-17-42 of the South Dakota emergency vehicle light statutes also encompasses ambulances. An ambulance and EMT vehicle is allowed the use of blue emergency lights. Section 32-26-15 also explains that they are allowed the use of red and white lights.
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Commercial and Amber Statutes
Security Vehicles
South Dakota emergency vehicle light statutes don’t have any specific requirements in terms of emergency or warning lights for security vehicles. Contact the South Dakota DOT to learn more here.
Wreckers and Tow Trucks
Wreckers and tow trucks are mentioned in section 32-17-10 of the South Dakota emergency vehicle light statutes. They are permitted the use of amber lights. These lights can be flashing, blinking, or rotating lights. They are also allowed to use beacon lights.
Tractors
According to section 32-17-1 of the South Dakota emergency vehicle light statutes, farm tractors are supposed to have a minimum of two headlamps, one on each side. Contact the South Dakota DOT to learn more here.
Construction Vehicles
According to the South Dakota emergency vehicle light statutes, amber warning lights are permitted and required. In section 32-17-14, it is explained that they need to have four clearance lamps. These lights also must be visible from a minimum of 500 feet in normal weather conditions. Exceptionally large vehicles may need additional lighting.
Special Permits
Special permits exist for commercial businesses and vehicles. As these are most likely going to need exemptions as to the lighting they use, and need to do so in order to ensure the safety of their employees, getting a permit for warning and emergency light usage is crucial. Contact the South Dakota DOT to learn more here.
