This Official South Dakota SD Roadside Memorial Registry page will allow you to register, plot, pin point and pay tribute to your loved one(s) Roadside Memorial for the State of South Dakota SD. The regulation, rules, laws, policy, procedures and or guidelines etc information provided below for the South Dakota SD State Roadside Memorials is ever changing and we will do our best to maintain this information for you. If you have new or updated regulation information that we have not posted, please let us know HERE.

South Dakota State Flag Roadside Memorials rules laws and registry.
South Dakota SD Roadside Memorials policy, law, rules, regulations.
Department of Transportation Guidelines for South Dakota SD Roadside Memorials (THINK signs)
Loss of life from a motor vehicle crash leaves a lasting and devastating impact on the families and friends of the victim. The South Dakota Department of Public Safety recognizes this, and in partnership with the Department of Transportation, established the Roadside Memorial “THINK” sign program in 1979. This program is to provide a South Dakota roadside memorial to the victim and to also remind motorists of dangerous behaviors such as driving under the influence, not wearing seat belts, speeding, and distracted driving.
One South Dakota Roadside Memorial sign is erected on the state highway for each person killed in the crash, with each sign mounted on a separate post near the edge of the right of way.
Upon official notification of a fatal crash on a County, City, or Township road, the Department of Public Safety- Accident Records will notify the Department of Transportation to furnish a sign to all participating local governments (Some local governments have requested not to participate in the “Think Sign” program) to be placed on the County, City and Township road.
The South Dakota SD Roadside Memorial signs remain in place until:
- An immediate family member of the crash victim objects to the sign, at which time the sign will be expeditiously removed
- The sign is no longer in a satisfactory condition because of damage or deterioration
- The section of roadway is reconstructed to new standards, at which time all “Think” signs on that segment of roadway are removed
Once removed, these signs are not replaced unless a request is made from an immediate family member of the crash victim to do so. This also applies to signs that may have been removed by others.
The Department of Transportation recognizes that some people grieve by placing a roadside memorial within the highway right of way near the crash site. While the department acknowledges this, the placement of memorials within the highway right of way is not allowed as these roadside memorials may themselves be a safety hazard. The department will immediately remove a roadside memorial if:
- It poses a safety concern, for example:
- If it interferes with roadway safety features or obstructs the view of motorists
- If it impacts the flow of traffic
- If it would be a hazard if hit by a vehicle
- If it is a distraction to motorists
- It interferes with routine highway maintenance
- It falls into disrepair
- The Department of Transportation receives a complaint
Individuals should understand that any roadside memorial placed on the highway right of way is temporary and should not expect that it remain in place indefinitely. The department typically does not know who placed the memorial, and individuals should also understand that the department is not responsible for any items placed at the memorial. When a memorial is removed by the department, the items from the memorial are kept for a period of two weeks to allow time for the owners to retrieve them by contacting the local Department of Transportation Area Office. If items are not claimed within two weeks, they are disposed of.
No one wants to see a tragedy such as a subsequent crash at the site of a roadside memorial. This is the reason that regulations specify that only items that perform a specific highway function be allowed within the highway right of way. Individuals should consider that mourners who stop to maintain a roadside memorial not only place themselves in danger, but they also put other motorists at risk.
South Dakota SD Roadside Memorials Questions:
Should South Dakota SD Roadside Memorials be allowed?
Who removed my South Dakota SD Roadside Memorial?
Do South Dakota SD Roadside Memorials cause safety issues and concerns?
Are South Dakota SD Roadside Memorials distracting?
South Dakota SD Roadside Memorial Controversy?
Should Roadside Memorials be banned in South Dakota SD?
What are the South Dakota SD State Rules or Laws for Roadside Memorials?
Does South Dakota SD have Roadside Memorial programs?
Can I make a permanent Roadside Memorial in South Dakota SD?
Can I put a Roadside Memorial on Private Property in South Dakota SD?
How much do South Dakota SD Roadside Memorial permits cost?
In South Dakota SD, how long do Roadside Memorial permits last?
Do South Dakota SD Roadside Memorials distract other drivers?
Do Roadside Memorials cause issues in South Dakota SD?
Do South Dakota SD Roadside Memorials cause Maintenance issues?
Are Roadside Memorials illegal in South Dakota SD?
Where do I apply for an South Dakota SD Roadside Memorial permit or program?
How do I apply for a Roadside Memorial in my state of South Dakota SD?
How To, About, Can I, Where, Rules, Who, How Much Cost, Limits
for my State of South Dakota SD to put up a Road Side Memorial?
Are South Dakota SD Roadside Memorials legal?
How do I find out if a think sign has been posted at a crash site