FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 14, 2012

BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota Highway Patrol (NDHP) conducted a right-of- way saturation effort in the Northwestern Region near Williston last week. The enforcement effort involved NDHP aircraft surveillance of rural highway intersections. Information regarding violations observed by the pilots was transmitted via radio to NDHP troopers that were strategically located on the ground near the intersection. The three-hour detail was held to bring heightened attention to the dangers created when motorists fail to make responsible decisions at intersections.

A total of 21 citations were issued during this saturation effort. A majority of the citations were issued for right of way violations, including failing to stop at stop signs or yielding the right of way. Several motorists were also cited for failing to wear their seatbelts.  

NDHP troopers involved in the saturation effort also identified a truck that appeared to be overloaded. Further investigation determined the truck to be 11,000 pounds in excess of the legal weight allowance. A fee of $1,100 was assessed to the driver.

Right-of-way violations are one of the leading crash causation factors on North Dakota roadways and contributed to the deaths of 24 motorists during 2011. Seventy-two percent of the motorists who have died in North Dakota traffic crashes since January were not wearing their seatbelts.