The North Dakota Highway Patrol (NDHP), the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) and the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) – lead agencies of North Dakota’s Vision Zero strategy to reduce motor vehicle crash fatalities and serious injuries to zero – remind motorists to drive and ride safely this busy travel season. The agencies stress that every driver and vehicle occupant in North Dakota needs to take personal responsibility on the road to help meet the Vision Zero goal.
According to AAA, more Americans will travel by vehicle this holiday season than ever before. The 102.1 million people expected to pack up their vehicles for road trips is 4.4 percent higher than last year. It is the most since AAA began tracking holiday travel in 2001.
With more people traveling this holiday season, it important for motorists to know that motor vehicle crash fatalities and serious injuries are preventable. North Dakota crash data shows that two out of three motor vehicle fatalities are unbelted, about 40-50 percent are alcohol-related and more than one-third are speed-related.
“Help us prevent motor vehicle crash fatalities and injuries this holiday season by always wearing a seat belt, driving posted speed limits or slower as road conditions warrant, and driving distraction free and sober,” states NDDOT Director Tom Sorel. “It’s also important to plan accordingly and to check the road conditions before traveling.”
“The holidays should be a time of celebration, but far too many families instead have to face the loss of a loved one due to a motor vehicle crash,” Colonel Solberg with NDHP emphasizes. “We take our responsibility as troopers seriously, risking our lives to help prevent others from risking theirs or someone else’s. We ask that motorists be proactive and have a plan before they travel or take part in holiday festivities, by buckling up, driving distraction free and sober to ensure everyone arrives safely at their destination.”
Drivers also need to take responsibility to ensure that all vehicle occupants they are travelling with, including children, are properly restrained. “North Dakota state law requires that children under 8 years or 4’9” are properly restrained,” explains State Health Officer Mylynn Tufte. “Make sure your car seat is installed correctly. In 2017, only 42 percent of car seats were installed correctly.”
Some winter driving travel tips for motorists over the holidays include:
- Don’t crowd the plow. Know where the plow is on multi-lane roadways and know that the plow could be in either lane or on the shoulder.
- Never drive through “whiteouts” caused by crosswinds or plowing light snow.
- Be ready to change travel plans as weather conditions warrant
- Carry a winter survival kit
- Never use cruise control when driving on wet or icy roadways
- Fill your gas tank before you leave
- Keep family and friends informed of your travel schedule and route
- Travel with a charged cell phone
For more travel information, download the NDRoads smartphone app for free, call 511, check the Travel Information Map, or visit DOT.ND.gov. For safety information, visit VisionZero.ND.gov.