Traffic Deaths Declined in North Dakota in 2018, DOT Says

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Officials say traffic deaths in North Dakota declined in 2018 to their lowest number in a decade.

Preliminary figures released Jan. 9 show that 104 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes in North Dakota in 2018, a decrease of 10 percent from 2017. That’s according to the North Dakota Department of Transportation and the North Dakota Highway Patrol.

Authorities say it is North Dakota’s lowest fatality number since 2008, which also saw 104 deaths.

Transportation Director Tom Sorel says officials are encouraged to see traffic deaths down from the previous year. But Sorel says the state needs to continue working toward its Vision Zero goal of zero fatalities and zero serious injuries.

Officials say failure to use seat belts, drunken driving and speed contribute significantly to fatal crashes in North Dakota.