Official Site of The Watertown Police Department in Watertown, South Dakota

My car was wrecked by an uninsured motorist. I have a court ordered judgement but the person is refusing to pay for my damage. What can I do?

The State of South Dakota has a program that may help you. By following some simple steps, you can get the State to issue what is called a Police Demand Order. That order, if granted, gives law enforcement the authority to take the responsible party's driver license, license plates, and vehicle registration until the judgment is paid. Click here to view a brochure that contains more information.

Officers regularly give presentations to various school and community groups on topics ranging from bicycle safety to crime prevention. You can request a presentation by calling (605)882-6210. Any one of supervisors will help set you up with an officer that has some expertise in the area you are looking for.

Click here for more info.

State law requires that you pull to the right hand edge of the road and stop when approached by a police vehicle making use of emergency lights or siren. For additional safety reasons, it is acceptable to pull into a nearby parking lot. Once you have done so, please remain seated in your vehicle and avoid making any sudden movements. The officer will approach and explain the reason(s) for the traffic stop and whether or not you will be issued a citation. Please comply with the instructions of the officer and avoid arguing over the validity of any citation. It is more appropriate to present your argument later in court.

What is the Move Over Law and what should I do to comply with it?

More than 150 U.S. law enforcement officers have been killed since 1997 after being struck by vehicles along America's highways. All but seven states have implemented versions of a law that requires motorists to slow down and/or move over when passing by vehicles that stopped on the side of the road. SDCL 32-32-6.1 requires motorists to stop when meeting an emergency vehicle making use of red lights, and requires motorists to change lanes and/or slow down to 25 mph below the speed limit when meeting any vehicle with flashing amber/yellow lights. Click here for more information about Move Over Laws.

The following response refers to several South Dakota Codified Laws and assumes the moped or scooter is being driven on public roadways. Click on any of the blue links to read the actual statute.

SDCL 32-20-1says that a moped is one of the several types of two wheel vehicles that are considered motorcycles. 32-20-1 further defines a moped as a motor driven cycle with two or three wheels and having combustion engine with a displacement under 50 cc, which functions directly or automatically (no clutching or shifting). Many of the motorcycle laws apply to mopeds. Mopeds are, however, exempted from a few of the motorcycle laws.

According to SDCL 32-20-2, the driver of a moped does not need a motorcycle endorsement, but does need to have a valid driver’s license. Electric scooters do not meet the definition of a moped. Some small motorcycles have an engine displacement of less than 50 cc, but if they have a manual transmission, they do not meet the definition of a moped, but do meet the definition of a motorcycle. For that reason, drivers of electric scooters and small motorbikes (with clutches) are required to have a motorcycle endorsement.

According to SDCL 32-3-2.3, mopeds are not required to have license plates. 32-3-1(11)explains that mopeds and scooters are considered “motor vehicles,” and therefore have to be insured according to SDCL 32-25-113. As stated earlier, mopeds are considered motorcycles, but are exempted from some of the motorcycle laws. There is no such law that exempts moped drivers from wearing proper safety equipment. According to SDCL 32-20-4and 32-20-4.1, moped and scooter drivers and passengers under age 18, must have a helmet and eye protection.