32-17-4.1. Circumstances exempting law enforcement officers from use of motor vehicle lights.
The requirements of §32-17-4 do not apply to a law enforcement officer, as defined in §23-3-27, while operating a motor vehicle owned, leased, or otherwise the property of the state or a political subdivision, in the performance of the officer's law enforcement duties if the officer's conduct is reasonable, and if the officer reasonably believes that operating the vehicle without lights is necessary under the circumstances to investigate a criminal violation or suspected criminal violation of state laws or rules, court orders, or municipal or county laws, ordinances, or regulations. A law enforcement officer may not operate a motor vehicle without lights under this section:
(1)At speeds greater than what is reasonable and prudent under existing weather, road, and traffic conditions;
(2)In situations in which the officer is an active participant in pursuing a motor vehicle; or
(3)Contrary to written policies or procedures established by the law enforcement officer's employer.
Source: SL 1997, ch 192, §1.
Structure South Dakota Codified Laws
Chapter 17 - Vehicle Lights And Flares
Section 32-17-1 - Headlamps required--Exceptions--Violation as petty offense.
Section 32-17-4 - Periods during which lamps must be lighted--Violation as misdemeanor.
Section 32-17-6 - Requirements respecting adjustment of headlamps--Violation as misdemeanor.
Section 32-17-7 - Circumstances under which headlamps must be dimmed--Violation as misdemeanor.
Section 32-17-8.1 - Stop lamps required--Mounting--Visibility--Violation as petty offense.
Section 32-17-9 - Red lights on front of vehicle prohibited--Excepted vehicles--Misdemeanor.
Section 32-17-10 - Tow truck or wrecker defined--Amber or blue flashers--Violation as misdemeanor.
Section 32-17-13 - Mounting of reflectors--Visibility--Violation as petty offense.
Section 32-17-15.1 - Silage or seasonal farm trucks exempt--Gross weight--Restrictions on use.
Section 32-17-15.2 - Fertilizer and agricultural chemical trailers exempt--Rear reflector required.
Section 32-17-17 - Auxiliary driving lamps--Mounting--Lighting restricted.
Section 32-17-18 - Turn light requirements--Visibility--Violation as petty offense.
Section 32-17-19 - Spot lamps--Aiming and adjustment--Violation as misdemeanor.
Section 32-17-20 - Adjustment of other lamps--Violation as misdemeanor.
Section 32-17-21 - Fire vehicles exempt when equipped with other approved devices.
Section 32-17-24 - Headlamps on motorcycles--Violation as petty offense.
Section 32-17-24.1 - Headlamps on mopeds--Violation as petty offense.
Section 32-17-25 - Bicycle lamps--Visibility and color--Violation as petty offense.
Section 32-17-26 - Lights on other vehicles--Color and visibility--Violation as petty offense.
Section 32-17-30 - Subsequent violations of flare requirements--Revocation of license.
Section 32-17-43 - Exemption of towed highway maintenance vehicles.
Section 32-17-44 - Command post vehicle to be equipped with green light.
Section 32-17-45 - Red and blue lights authorized for law enforcement officers.