Preventing lane departure crashes in North Dakota
STATEWIDE, N.D. – Preliminary data from 2024 shows that nearly 69% of fatal crashes in North Dakota involved lane departure, but safer driving habits and roadway improvements can change the outcome moving forward.
Lane departure crashes are a leading cause of death on rural highways. They occur when a vehicle crosses the center line or drifts off the road, often at high speeds. In North Dakota in 2024, 78% of fatal single-vehicle lane departure crashes resulted in the vehicle overturning or rolling over. The remaining 22% involved collisions with fixed objects such as trees, utility poles, traffic signs, or mailboxes.
What you can do to prevent lane departure crashes:
- Put the phone away and avoid distractions.
- Stay alert and pull over if you feel drowsy.
- Keep your focus on the road, not what’s happening inside the vehicle.
- Always drive sober.
- Obey speed limits and adjust for road conditions.
- Use your vehicle’s Lane Departure Warning System if equipped.
- Drive defensively and check mirrors often to spot hazards early.
“Every roadway improvement helps protect motorists, but the most powerful protection comes from responsible choices behind the wheel,” said Karin Mongeon, director of the North Dakota Department of Transportation Highway Safety Division. “It’s going to take all of us to reach Vision Zero – zero traffic deaths and serious injuries on North Dakota roads.”
Visit the North Dakota Crash Memorial Wall to view memorials built on the hope of preventing another death on North Dakota roads.