Motorists reminded seat belts can save lives
For Immediate Release: Aug 03 2020
Statewide, ND - Law enforcement across the state continues Click it or Ticket enforcement efforts for seat belt violations as nearly 70% of eligible motor vehicle fatalities have not worn their seat belt in 2020. Seat belts save lives and are the single most effective way to protect yourself from serious injury or death in a motor vehicle crash.
Preliminary data from Jan. 1 to June 30, 2020 indicates the total number of motor vehicle fatalities in North Dakota has decreased to 36 compared to 44 during the same period in 2019. Nearly 40% of traffic fatalities in 2020 are ATV/recreational vehicles, pedestrian and motorcycle related.
A breakdown of preliminary statistics from the first half of 2020 include:
- Five motorcycle fatalities. Up from one during the same period in 2019.
- Five ATV/recreational vehicle fatalities. Up from zero during the same period in 2019 and higher than the 2019 total of four.
- Three pedestrian fatalities. Down from five during the same period in 2019.
- Eleven alcohol-related crash fatalities. Down from 19 during the same period in 2019.
The North Dakota Department of Transportation wants to remind drivers to take personal responsibility when driving as summer travel continues through August.
The Click It or Ticket campaign is part of the Vision Zero summer H.E.A.T. (Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic) strategy to eliminate motor vehicle crash fatalities and serious injuries on North Dakota roads. Over the past five years, more people have died in motor vehicle crashes in warm weather months (May through October) than cold weather months. H.E.A.T. will take place through August to encourage everyone to wear a seat belt, use appropriate child passenger safety seats, drive sober and distraction-free, and follow all posted speed limits.
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