NDDOT 2019 Crash Summary - North Dakota Department Of Transportation

OccupantProtectionSeat belts save lives. They are the single most effectivesafety device to prevent death and injury in a motorvehicle crash.3North Dakota Unbelted Motor VehicleFatalities, 2015-2019YearFatalities*No SeatBelt 55%2018773748%2019743446%*Includes fatalities where seat belts were availablewithin the vehicle. Excludes fatalities where seatbelts do not apply (pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles,off-highway vehicles, persons riding on the exteriorof motor vehicles, bus passengers and farm/construction equipment).Seat belts protect you by: Keeping you in the vehicle. Spreading the force of impact over a large area and the strongestpart of the body. Allowing your body to slow down gradually, lessening the impact oninternal organs. Preventing impact with the interior of the vehicle. Preventing collision with other occupants of the vehicle. Preventing trauma to the brain and spinal cord caused by suddenchange in motion.Fortunately, most people who drive and ride in motorvehicles in North Dakota understand how important it isto wear a seat belt. An annual survey of observed seatbelt use in North Dakota shows that 8 out of every 10people wear a seat belt (83.7%). But, it is those who donot wear seat belts who are much more likely to losetheir life in a crash.38National Safety CouncilNorth Dakota Percent of Restraint Use byInjury Classification, 2015-2019

Crash data shows a direct correlation between seat beltuse and injury severity. Unbelted vehicle occupants incrashes in North Dakota account for the largest percentof fatalities and serious injuries, while belted occupantsmost commonly receive non-serious or no injuries.North Dakota Seat Belt Use and UnbeltedMotor Vehicle Fatalities, 2015-2019In North Dakota over the past 5 years (2015-2019), more than half(55%) of the people killed in a motor vehicle crash, where seat beltsapplied, were not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. And,80% of the unbelted fatalities were males.In 2019 alone, 46% of motor vehicle fatalities in NorthDakota were not wearing their seat belt. Of thoseunbelted fatalities, 53% were partially or totally ejected.Further, 71% of single vehicle rollover fatalities werenot wearing their seat belt and 82% of those unbeltedfatalities were either partially or totally ejected.North Dakota vs. United StatesSeat Belt Use Rate, 2010-2019North Dakota’s observed seat belt use has beenconsistently lower than the national seat belt use rateover the past 10 years (2010-2019).Seat belts save lives. Wear your seat belt – everybody,every trip, every time!9

ImpairedDrivingAlcohol and drug-related crashes are 100% preventable.Many lives would be saved in North Dakota each year ifevery driver consistently makes the choice to drive soberand not while under the influence of alcoholand/or drugs.North Dakota Motor Vehicle Crashes, Fatalitiesand Injuries Involving Alcohol, 2015-2019YearTotal 46201751554722018303140720193843402*Beginning in 2016, the criteria for determining alcoholrelated fatal crashes and fatalities was revised. Revisedcounts indicate at least one operator in the crash had apositive BAC and/or officer suspected alcohol involvementwas indicated on the crash report; passenger BACs areexcluded. Alcohol-related injuries are counted based onofficer suspected alcohol involvement from the crashreport; toxicology is not available.North Dakota Percent Alcohol-RelatedFatal Motor Vehicle Crashes, 2015-2019Yet, 240 people have died in alcohol-related crashes inNorth Dakota over the past 5 years. Alcohol is a factor inabout 42% of fatal crashes in North Dakota annually. Thepercent of alcohol-related fatal crashes increased annuallybetween 2015 and 2017. Following these increases, thepercent of alcohol-related fatal crashes decreased in 2018but rose again in 2019.Approximately 1 in 6 (15%) adult arrests in North Dakotain 2019 were for Driving Under the Influence (DUI).4 Theaverage blood alcohol content (BAC) among DUI offendersin North Dakota is .143 – well over the legal limit of .08.Drive sober.4North Dakota Office of Attorney General, Bureauof Criminal Investigation, Crime in North Dakota, 201910

DistractedDrivingDistraction – taking eyes, hands or mental attentionaway from driving – is a common contributing factor inmost motor vehicle crashes and near crashes.Texting while driving is a behavior sodangerous that drivers are:According to the National Highway Traffic SafetyAdministration (NHTSA), 2,841 people nationwide werekilled in motor vehicle crashes involving distracteddrivers in 2018,* and 8% of fatal crashes in 2018 weredistraction-related.Distracted driving is vastly underreported as a factor ina crash due to driver hesitancy to report, lack of witnessverification and other factors. As a result, North Dakotacrash data related to distraction is limited. However, in2019, 1,389 distracted driving violations were posted tothe ND Driver’s License system.Vision Zero is a statewide strategy to eliminate fatalitiesand serious injuries caused by motor vehicles on NorthDakota roads.VisionZero.ND.govParents LEAD (Listen, Educate, Ask, Discuss) is anevidence-based underage drinking prevention programtargeting parents and professionals through statewide,web-based communication.ParentsLead.orgSpeak Volumes is a campaign to educate North Dakotaadults on standard drink sizes, binge drinking, and relatedconsequences to help them make better decisions aboutalcohol consumption.Sending one text at 55 mph is like driving blindfolded the entirelength of a football field.*SpeakVolumes.ND.govMost current data available11

Speed and/orAggressive DrivingSpeed and/or aggressive driving was a factor in 29% offatal crashes in North Dakota in 2019.North Dakota Fatal Motor Vehicle CrashesInvolving Speed/Aggressive Driving**,2015-2019YearTotal FatalCrashesSpeed/Aggr.Driv.-InvolvedFatal 2018954244%2019912629%**Speed/Aggressive Driving-Involved is defined asspeeding, driving too fast for conditions, following tooclose, or operating a vehicle in an erratic, reckless,careless, negligent or aggressive manner.According to the National Highway Traffic SafetyAdministration (NHTSA), 9,378 lives were lost inspeed-related vehicle crashes in the U.S. in 2018.*Speeding endangers everyone on the road. It greatlyreduces the driver’s ability to slow a vehicle whennecessary or to steer safely around an unexpectedcurve, or another vehicle or hazardous object in theroad. In school zones or neighborhoods, that couldinclude a child or an animal crossing the road.Of the 35 drivers involved in fatal crashes in NorthDakota in 2019 with speed and/or aggressive drivingidentified as a contributing factor, 69% were ages25-64 and 91% were male.It’s not just aggressive driving, it’s deadly driving.Stop speeding before it stops you.*12Most current data available193 people have died in speed/aggressivedriving- involved crashes in North Dakotaover the past 5 years.North Dakota Motor Vehicle Crashes,Fatalities and Injuries Involving Speed/Aggressive Driving**, 2320195,187271,629

LaneDepartureLane departure is the most common type of crashresulting in injuries in rural areas. A lane departurecrash is defined as a crash which occurs after a vehiclecrosses an edge line or a center line, or otherwiseleaves the traveled way.North Dakota Motor Vehicle Crashes,Fatalities and Injuries Involving LaneDeparture, 8620195,198631,460Safety Corridors:A New Approach to Vision ZeroOver the past 5 years in North Dakota, 77% ofsingle-vehicle fatal lane departure crashes involvedoverturning/rolling over and 11% involved collisionswith fixed objects such as trees, utility/light poles, trafficsigns and mailboxes.Lane departure can be caused by many things includingdistraction, drowsiness and impaired driving. From2015-2019, officer suspected alcohol involvement wasa contributing factor in 47% of fatal lane departurecrashes in North Dakota.Safety Corridors are part of the Vision Zero strategy toreduce motor vehicle fatalities and serious injuries to zero.A Safety Corridor is a designated section of highway thatincludes enhanced safety features and an increase in lawenforcement to remind drivers that they are responsiblefor obeying all traffic laws and posted speed limits.The purpose is to utilize engineering and technologicalsolutions to change dangerous driving behavior andreduce the number of crashes on state highways.Visit VisionZero.ND.govfor more information.Stay in your lane.13

YoungDriversMotor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of injuryrelated death for North Dakota teens.5 Young driverinexperience, coupled with immaturity, often results inrisk-taking behaviors such as speeding, alcohol use andnot wearing a seat belt – all of which contribute to anincreased death rate.6North Dakota Teen Driver Involvementin All Crashes, 2015-2019YearTotalCrashesTeen 212,57918%North Dakota Teen Driver Involvementin Fatal Crashes, 2015-2019In North Dakota, teen drivers age 14-19 account for 5%of all licensed drivers but are behind the wheel in nearly20% of all crashes.Teen drivers were involved in 12% of fatal crashes inNorth Dakota in 2019. And, over the past 5 years inNorth Dakota, 41 teens have died in vehicle crashes.5614Centers for Disease Control and PreventionGovernors Highway Safety AdministrationYearTotal FatalCrashesTeen DriverFatal 20189599%2019911112%North Dakota Teen Fatalities fromMotor Vehicle Crashes, 2015-2019

Bicycles andPedestriansEveryone has different preferences when it comesto transportation. Regardless of mode of transport,being safe on the road is a responsibility shared byall. Bicyclists and pedestrians have the same rights,privileges and responsibilities as every motorist;however, they are more vulnerable since they do nothave the protection provided by a vehicle.North Dakota Crashes, Fatalities and InjuriesInvolving Bicycles, 694388201793279201874268201980276In 2019, the bicycle-related fatalities involvinga motor vehicle included 1 male and 1 female.North Dakota Crashes, Fatalities and InjuriesInvolving Pedestrians, 2015-2019Pedestrians are at a disadvantage when crossingstreets, intersections and standing on corners, asthey are not always visible to drivers. Tips to keep safewhen walking from one destination to another: watchwalkways – make sure the driver sees you by makingeye contact with them, don’t be a distracted walker,make yourself visible, watch for wide loads, and beaware of blind spots.As a bicyclist, you need to take extra precautions toprotect yourself. Tips to help keep you riding safely:wear a helmet, be aware of traffic, check your brakes,ride with traffic, and be aware of blind 3271002017138510620181316912019115587In 2019, 60% of pedestrian-related fatalitiesinvolving a motor vehicle were male.15

Motorcycles andOff-Highway VehiclesSince 2010 in North Dakota, the number of motorcyclelicensed drivers has increased by 25%, and motorcycleregistrations have also increased by 27%.North Dakota Crashes, Fatalities and InjuriesInvolving Motorcycles, 01624812198201724813204201821016167201917611152In North Dakota in 2019, 85% (150) of all reportedmotorcycle crashes resulted in injury or death.In the past 5 years, speed has been a contributingfactor in 27% of motorcycle fatalities in North Dakota.Motorcyclists can increase their safety on the roadsby wearing All The Gear, All The Time (ATGATT), takinga rider safety course and obeying all traffic laws.Motorcycle Fatality Facts, ND 2019*Fatalities with knownalcohol test results.North Dakota Crashes, Fatalities and InjuriesInvolving Off-Highway Vehicles**, 660359201761259201871273201952449**Off-highway vehicles include all-terrain vehicles(ATV) and snowmobiles.Motorists can prevent a crash with motorcyclists bychecking all mirrors and blind spots, staying back, andlooking for motorcyclists, especially at intersections.16

Preventing Vehicle Crashes,Fatalities & InjuriesThe North Dakota Vision Zero Plan identifies partners and “E” strategies to reduce motor vehicle fatalities andinjuries in the state. The “E” strategies are described below.Education. All North Dakotans should know that they can save their lives, and the lives of others, frommotor vehicle crashes by taking personal responsibility. This includes wearing seat belts at all times,transporting children in child passenger safety seats appropriate for the child’s age, height and weight, notdriving while distracted by cell phones or any other form of distraction, driving only when sober(i.e., not under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs), and obeying all posted speed limits.Environment. Behavior change can occur through changing the environment in which the behavioroccurs. This is done through strengthening traffic safety policies and laws such as mandating seat beltuse for all vehicle occupants at all times, increasing the fines associated with speed violations, eliminatingcell phone use in vehicles, and mandating alcohol beverage server training to prevent overconsumption ofalcohol by consumers.Enforcement. Regular enforcement of traffic safety laws deters unsafe driver and occupant behavior.Engineering. State and local North Dakota roads are designed, constructed and maintained with safetyas a priority.Emergency Medical Services. In the event that a motor vehicle crash does occur, assure that crashvictims are transported to an appropriate level of health care for their injuries, in the shortest amountof time possible.17

Do you want to get involved inmotor vehicle crash prevention?The NDDOT and our traffic safety partners invite you to join the Vision Zero Partner Network (VZPN) for resourcesand ideas to help reduce risky driver and occupant behaviors to save lives.Risky behaviors cause hundreds of preventable crashes in North Dakota every year. By joining the Vision ZeroPartner Network, you can help prevent motor vehicle crash fatalities and serious injuries on North Dakota roads.Marketing and resource materials are free and all contributions are voluntary.Benefits of VZPN: Protect your organization’s human and financial resourcesGuard against potential liabilities associated with work-related crashesDemonstrate your company, school or organization’s commitment to the communityShow your students or employees you care about them and their familiesAddress the problems of distracted driving, impaired driving, speed, aggressive drivingand lack of seat belt useWhat partners will receive from NDDOT: Education tools and materials bundled for each campaignHelp getting a driver and occupant safety program startedOpportunities to collaborate with other network organizations and agenciesTechnical support for local opportunities such as media interviewsTo sign up, go to VisionZero.ND.gov and click on “Partners.”Working together, we can save lives.18

North Dakota CrashMemorial WallThe North Dakota Crash Memorial Wall is an online space to safely honor someone you love who lost their lifein a motor vehicle crash on a North Dakota road. Memorials are public in the hope that sharing their stories willoffer comfort to families and friends and remind visitors about the devastating impact of motor vehicle fatalities.The Crash Memorial Wall was developed by the North Dakota Department of Transportation and launched inAugust 2015. In 2016, the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) recognized the NorthDakota Crash Memorial Wall with a Public Affairs and Consumer Education Award (PACE) for outstanding website.Immediate family members are invited to create a memorial at VisionZero.ND.gov. Extended family and friendscan comment on the memorials. All submissions are reviewed by the North Dakota Department of Transportationwithin 10 business days.“Even one life lostin a motor vehicle crashis too many;every life is precious.”19

Questions and requests for additional data or copiesof this document can be directed to:NDDOT Safety Division701-328-2598dottrafficgrp@nd.govThe report can be found online at:VisionZero.ND.gov/statistics

The highest number of fatalities over this 10 year period occurred in 2012 (170), followed by a steady decrease . Bottineau 69 1 27 0.84 Bowman 20 0 7 0.45 Burke 34 0 8 0.55 Burleigh 2,624 5 691 3.67 Cass 3,748 9 1,084 2.18 . 5 year period (2015-2019), July had the most motor vehicle fatalities in North Dakota. County Crashes Fatalities .