Jun. 11—NORTH DAKOTA — In 2024, 89 drivers, passengers, motorcyclists and pedestrians were killed on North Dakota roads, 17 fewer than in 2023 and the lowest number of yearly fatalities recorded in more than two decades.
“That 89 number is the lowest fatality count in 24 years,” said Lauren Wahlman, safety public information program manager for the North Dakota Department of Transportation. “Normally, North Dakota is around the 100 mark for fatalities, so to see it drop to 89 is very encouraging.”
Fatalities have been on a fairly steady decrease since the statewide initiative Vision Zero was established in 2018, Wahlman said. That is, until 2023, when they rose to 106, which was eight more than 2022.
She believes the decrease in 2024 can be attributed to a number of factors, but perhaps the most significant are
the primary seat belt law going into effect in August 2023
and lower rates of impaired driving.
There were 19 alcohol-related fatalities in 2024, compared to 33 in 2023, Wahlman said. Some toxicology reports are still pending, though, according to a May 27 Vision Zero press release.
Transportation services like Lyft and Uber may be partly responsible for the decrease, Wahlman said. Also, the NDDOT’s Vision Zero department has been working closely with law enforcement to carry out enforcement efforts that target behaviors such as driving under the influence.
“Those types of enforcements, they’re really getting law enforcement out there, and people are able to recognize it,” Wahlman said. “So if they’re driving down the road and they see more law enforcement presence, they’re more likely to make sure that they’re following the posted speed limits, wearing their seat belt and driving sober.”
In 2024, speed-related deaths decreased from 24 to 21, and pedestrian deaths were halved, from 10 to five. Fatalities involving unbelted vehicle occupants decreased from 37 to 30.
Wearing a seat belt is the number one thing people can do to protect themselves while inside a motor vehicle, Wahlman said.
“You can be the best driver out on the road — following posted speed limits, driving distraction free, driving sober — but if you’re not wearing your seat belt, you can’t predict what other drivers are going to do,” she said. “If you do get involved in a crash, it’s going to be your best defense to prevent a severe injury or a fatality.”
The primary seat belt law — which allows law enforcement to pull people over solely for not wearing a seat belt, and requires all vehicle passengers to wear them — has helped increase the number of people who comply, because they don’t want to face a citation, Wahlman said. But it’s also just becoming more of the norm; it’s being talked about more, and younger generations are learning to buckle up from a young age.
“We’re really hoping that more of them are going to be wearing their seat belts and driving distraction free, driving sober, because we’re really pushing this education at a younger level,” Wahlman said.
Though most categories saw a decrease in fatalities last year, two saw increases. Fatal lane departures rose from 52 to 57.
“That has actually been a pretty steady increase for fatalities,” Wahlman said. “A majority of our fatalities on our roads can be attributed to lane departure. So it’s anytime that someone is leaving their intended lane of traffic.”
Lane departures can be caused by many things, and the reasons are often under reported, she said. Distracted, impaired and drowsy driving are some of the contributors. If someone survives a crash like this, they may not want to admit that they were distracted; if the crash ends in a fatality, it can be difficult to determine whether it was caused by some type of distraction.
Motorcyclist deaths also increased in 2024, from 16 to 17, the release said.
“We are seeing a pretty steady increase in motorcycle crashes and fatalities from year to year,” Wahlman said. “That’s been one category that’s been consistently at the same level or increasing.”
Common contributors in these crashes are speed, inexperience and impairment, she said. Additionally, nearly 75% of fatal motorcycle crashes within the last five years involved a motorcyclist who was not wearing a helmet.
Wahlman said the NDDOT is encouraging motorcyclists to wear appropriate safety gear and take a motorcycle safety course, even more than once, as it can be helpful to refresh their knowledge after a long winter likely spent not riding. Other motorists are also encouraged to be aware of motorcyclists and leave room for them on the roads.
Vision Zero is a state initiative put in place in 2018 by then-Gov. Doug Burgum, the state Department of Transportation, the North Dakota Highway Patrol and the state Department of Health. Its goal, according to the Vision Zero website, is “to establish a culture of shared responsibility where motor vehicle fatalities and serious injuries are recognized as preventable and not tolerated. The mission is to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries on North Dakota roadways.”