BISMARCK, N.D. β Highway patrol troopers in the four states bordering western South Dakota are paying extra attention to traffic flocking to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which is expecting a huge influx of people for its 75th anniversary bash next week.
In North Dakota, the patrol is even dedicating 30 overtime hours to the cause, at a cost of about $2,000.
Interstate 94 and U.S Highway 85 in the western part of the state are popular routes to Sturgis. Troopers in that region began stepping up patrols Monday and will continue the special effort through Aug. 12, three days after the seven-day rally ends. The goal is to increase safety by having troopers highly visible.
"This is something we try to do yearly on some scale, but this year I would say it's probably given even more emphasis given the amount of traffic we suspect will be coming through," said patrol Lt. Tom Iverson.
An estimated 442,000 people traveled to the mecca for motorcyclists last year. Sturgis officials have been planning for up to a million people to attend this year's rally, which begins Monday and runs through Aug. 9.
Rally-bound bikers tend to take major highways and interstates, though some prefer scenic byways, said Lonnie Bertsch, executive director for ABATE of North Dakota, a motorcycle safety and awareness group.
"The situation is potentially dangerous for everyone when large groups of motorcycles are on the road," he said. "Nationally, eight out of ten motorcycle crashes result in injury or death."
The Montana Highway Patrol is paying "special attention" to traffic routes in that state favored by rally-goers, spokesman John Barnes said. He did not comment on whether overtime was dedicated.
In Nebraska, there are additional patrols on some highways but no dedicated overtime.
"Due to Nebraska having a primary helmet law, we have heard a large number of motorcycles bypass Nebraska for other states," patrol Capt. Paul Hattan said.
Nebraska requires helmets for all riders, while Wyoming, Montana and North Dakota don't require them for adults.
In Wyoming, rally events spill over the border into the eastern towns of Hulett and Sundance. The Highway Patrol has secured $125,000 in federal highway grant money for ramped-up enforcement, Lt. Klief Guenther said. The amount is an increase of about one-fourth from previous years.
Nearly 40 patrol personnel handle rally duty in northeastern Wyoming, including officials with expertise in motorcycle and crash enforcement and riot control.
"We get anywhere from 25,000-35,000 bikes coming into Wyoming in one day," Guenther said. "We anticipate more will be coming" this year.
South Dakota's Highway Patrol is allocating more troopers than usual to this year's rally but not providing details on the operation, spokesman Tony Mangan said.
Officials are urging both bikers and motorists to be alert and cautious on the highways.
"If everyone pays attention and makes safe choices, bikers, tourists and everyone else on the highways can have a good and safe time," said Lee Axdahl, director of South Dakota's Office of Highway Safety.
