— Official News Release, ND Highway Patrol —
Last year proved to be another busy year on North Dakota roadways. Troopers made 1,677 DUI arrests and 1,049 drug-related arrests. Lack of seat belt use continued to contribute to injuries and deaths. Fifty-five percent of fatal crash victims were unrestrained. Preliminary numbers show 136 people died on roadways throughout the state in 122 fatal crashes compared to 148 victims and 133 fatal crashes in 2013.
Troopers issued 9,320 seat belt citations throughout the year. More than 15,000 overtime hours were worked to enhance traffic safety. Focused on education efforts, troopers gave 341 safety presentations around the state.
More than 262,000 commercial motor vehicle permits were issued in 2014. Motor carrier troopers and inspectors participated in speed, right-of-way, seat belt and vehicle size and weight enforcement blitzes to enhance commercial motor vehicle safety. More than 12,500 driver-vehicle examinations were administered to identify truck drivers and vehicles that posed safety risks. Committed to protecting infrastructure, troopers assessed approximately $1.25 million in overload violation fees.
In fiscal year 2014, New Entrant Program coordinators completed 263 safety audits with 27 failing. This program assesses companies that apply for USDOT numbers, with the goal of enhancing the transportation industry’s safety.
Motorists are encouraged to make safe, responsible driving decisions. Wearing seat belts, slowing down, choosing designated drivers, and overtaking with caution are common sense measures that will help keep North Dakota roads safe.
