South Dakota Department of Transportation’s Tribal Safety Summits

Led by the South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT), the Tribal Safety Summits serve as platforms for exchanging information and ideas to enhance Tribal transportation safety. The planning committee organizes these summits with the aim of engaging tribal leaders in a collective effort to improve safety, quality of life, and transportation networks for both drivers and pedestrians. Moreover, the summits provide a valuable opportunity for tribes across South Dakota to collaborate, network, and share effective practices for addressing common challenges. These summits also generate broad statewide impact, reaching across South Dakota’s nine reservations. Attendees bring back valuable insights to their respective tribes, igniting safety initiatives and campaigns. Often, such initiatives include poster contests with local schools, where winning designs are transformed into billboards, and effectively disseminating safety messages to households through children. By providing these services and resources to underserved communities, SDDOT enhances the safety of all residents in these areas.