PIERRE, S.D. - Forty-two people died in South Dakota traffic in the first half of the year.

That was a 39 percent reduction from the same period last year.

Gov. Mike Rounds said there were no fatalities over the Memorial Day weekend for the first time in five years.

Motorists also should be especially careful over the long Fourth of July holiday period, he said.

"Keeping the seatbelt buckled, having a sober driver, and following the posted speed limits will help assure another fatality-free holiday," Rounds said.

There were 40 serious crashes during the Independence Day period last year, resulting in 25 injuries but no fatalities.

There were three deaths on South Dakota roads during the Fourth of July period in 2006, six deaths in 2005, and five motorists were killed in 2004.