More South Dakota troopers patrol the Rally - KOTA Territory News

More South Dakota troopers patrol the Rally

While the Sturgis Rally doesn't officially start until Monday, you may already notice an increase in the amount of traffic on the roads.

That's why more South Dakota troopers are in the Black Hills this week.

The South Dakota Highway Patrol plan for months each year to prepare for the Rally.

And to increase their presence on the road they rally troopers from across the state to help out.

Matthew Wosje, a Trooper with the South Dakota Highway Patrol, calls Sioux Falls home.

But for Rally week, home is the Black Hills.

"I am working everyday through next Saturday," said Wosje.

Every year the Highway Patrol brings in troopers from other parts of the state to help increase patrol during Rally week.

"This is my first year working the Northern Hills. In the past I've worked the Southern Hills," said Wosje.

And if the past is any indication, Wosje's job will be much busier up north.

During last year's rally, 725 tickets were written in the Northern Hills alone, compared to only 138 in the Southern Hills.

"Our primary job is to be very visible, to have as many troopers out there being visible, so we don't have people out there breaking the law, creating unsafe conditions for other motorists," said Lt. Rick Miller with the South Dakota Highway Patrol.

While they won't say how many extra troopers they have on the roads, Lt. Miller says the help is needed. During last year's rally, the Northern Hills patrol wrote more than 3,000 warnings to motorists and handled 209 of the 235 DUI arrests that week.

"The rally goes on for such a long time that we increase the amount of hours that we're working to accommodate the traffic that's out here," said Lt. Miller.

And an increase in traffic leads to an increase in accidents.

Last year the highway patrol responded to 55 accidents in the Northern Hills alone.

"You never know what to expect when you come to work," said Wosje.

It's the unexpected that Wosje looks forward too, as Rally week officially begins on Monday.

"I think it's going to be busy and I think we'll enjoy our week that we're out here," said Wosje

Lt. Miller says the department starts planning for the Rally in January each year.