Data shows how much traffic has dropped off on Sioux Falls streets since COVID-19's arrival

There's no question pleas from Sioux Falls officials for residents to stay put in hopes of slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus in the city are being heard.

Shuttered businesses, empty streets and sidewalks and light traffic are indicative of many taking social distancing recommendations seriously. And data backs it up.

But there's still room for improvement, according to city officials.

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Statistics from the city's Public Works traffic division and the police department shared with the Argus Leader this week show that Sioux Falls has experienced a significant slowdown since the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in South Dakota on March 10.

"You can definitely see it is," Sioux Falls traffic engineer Heath Hofteizer said of the reductions in traffic illustrated in the city data.

Mayor Paul TenHaken said vehicle traffic city-wide is down more than 30% since he and other officials began preaching social distancing and the "safer at home" mantra.

And traffic counts gathered with automated camera technology at five major intersections across Sioux Falls show an average drop in the number of vehicles traveling through them of about 20% since the first coronavirus case was discovered.

-24.5% — 26th St. and Lorraine Pl.

-42.7% — Madison St. and Western Ave.

-19.3% — 41st St. and Louise Ave.

-17.5% — 18th St. and Minnesota Ave.

-18.9% — 26th St. and Sycamore Ave.

And the number of crashes during March were down nearly 40% from the year prior, according to police records. Specifically, there were 586 vehicle collisions in March 2019 compared to 358 last month.

TenHaken said the data shows many are adhering to recommendations not to move about the city more than they need to. But he said more needs to be done, citing an online resource that uses cellphone tracking information to grade counties on how much travel is happening.

"We've moved up to a C now, which is good, but I know when my kids bring home a C I'm not happy. I want an A," he said. "So we're going to keep preaching that message of social distancing and what the next step is in our plan."