Mud Flaps

• Mud flaps, often referred to as anti-spray devices in state legal lexicon, are not required under South Dakota law.
  
  

Liability for Uncovered Wheels

• While South Dakota does not explicitly require mud flaps, uncovered wheels may kick up stones and other debris a vehicle passes over, potentially damaging the body or glass of a following vehicle. Under Section 32-15-2.2 of the South Dakota Code, cracked or broken glass is prohibited at any location on a vehicle. Therefore, it is likely that the owner of a vehicle damaged in such a fashion will seek legal remedy for damage caused by a truck lacking mud flaps.
  
  

Vehicle Protection

• In addition to protecting other vehicles, mud flaps protect the driver's vehicle from debris, particularly the rear painted bodywork. Therefore, it is advisable to use mud flaps even in the absence of a state law requirement.