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Highway Patrol Captain: Despite Efforts, DUIs Are Just Part Of The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally

Lee Strubinger

The 81st annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is in full swing. State transportation officials report more than 300,000 vehicles and counting.  

Captain Jason Ketterling is with the South Dakota Highway Patrol and has been working in Sturgis. He says this is one of the bigger rallies.  

“I mean if you’ve been out here at all, it’s very obvious we’ve got a good crowd out here this year,” Ketterling said.  

The state patrol encourages safe driving, but Ketterling says they are still making plenty of arrests for impaired driving.  

“We always are pushing the don’t drink and drive campaign,” he said. “That’s no different during this rally as well and unfortunately, we are making some arrests with some impaired drivers out there on the roads.  

The Department of Public Safety reports 74 total DUI arrests this year so far, compared to 82 last year. 

This story comes from a recent interview on SDPB's weekday radio program, "In the Moment." Listen to the full interview below.