Laws
Does North Dakota have a motorcycle helmet law?
Yes. An individual, who drives or is a passenger of a motorcycle, under 18 years of age must wear a helmet which complies with standards established by the Department of Transportation. If the operator of the motorcycle is required to wear a helmet, any passenger must also wear a helmet regardless of the age of the passenger.
What is North Dakota's safety belt law?
- All front seat occupants must be properly secured by a safety belt.
- Children seven through 17 yrs of age must be in an approved child restraint, or correctly buckled in a seatbelt.
- Children under 7 yrs of age must be in an approved safety restraint, however, children under 7 yrs of age who are at least 57 inches tall and weigh 80 pounds or more, may use a seatbelt.
- A child weighing more than forty pounds may use a lap belt if the vehicle is not equipped with lap and shoulder belts, or if all lap and shoulder belts are in use by other occupants.
Can I be stopped for not wearing my safety belt?
-If you are 18 years of age or older, you can not be stopped for not wearing your safety belt, it is a secondary offense.
-However, it becomes a primary offense if children 17 years of age and younger are not properly restrained anywhere in the vehicle.
Are there any exceptions to wearing my safety belt?
Yes, there are a few exceptions to wearing your safety belt. Drivers of vehicles that were manufactured prior to January 1, 1965; drivers of implements of husbandry; mail carrier; occupants with a medical or physical disability and possess a signed statement from a qualified physician; or when all front seat restraints are in use by other occupants.
What should I do when an emergency vehicle approaches with emergency lights on?
Upon the immediate approach of an emergency vehicle diplaying emergency lights, the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right of way by moving to the right-hand edge or curb clear of any intersection and stop and remain stopped until the emergency vehicle passes. If an emergency vehicle is parked or stopped at the scene of an emergency and is displaying emergency red, white, or blue lights, traffic shall move to the right and stop. Once stopped, traffic may proceed with caution unless otherwise directed.
On August 1, 2001, a law was enacted to protect North Dakota Emergency Services Personnel while stopped on multi-lane highways with emergency lights activated.
The law requires motorists approaching parked or stopped emergency vehicles displaying amber, red, white, or blue lights to proceed with caution and yield the right of way by moving to a lane that is not adjacent to the emergency vehicle if the move may be made with due regard to safety and traffic conditions or if not, the driver shall proceed with due caution, reduce speed, and maintain a safe speed for the road conditions. The most frequent situation when this law pertains is when a law enforcement officer has stopped another motorist for committing a traffic violation. Others are when the officer is assisting a motorist or investigating an abandoned vehicle. In most cases such as this, Highway Patrol vehicles will be displaying amber lights.