Safe Driving in North Dakota Pays Off: Less Fatal Accidents

At the beginning of the New Year, local law enforcement agencies like to look at how things like the number of car accidents compare from one year to the next. There is some good news for residents of North Dakota in the fact that the number of fatal car accidents decreased in 2013 compared to 2012. While this is positive news, it also gives police time to consider what changes could still be made to further improve these numbers, as the ultimate goal for any state is zero preventable fatalities.

According to the North Dakota Highway Patrol, 148 people died as the result of car accidents in 2013. That is a decrease of 22 people compared to 2012. Of those 148 deaths, 46 percent of them were a result of alcohol-related accidents. Highway Patrol reported that they made 1,936 DUI arrests during the year, which was about the same as the previous year.

Local authorities are constantly looking for ways to educate the public on safe driving. Last year, a total of 386 presentations were given statewide by Troopers in an effort to spread the word that lives may be saved if people choose to drive defensively, wear seat belts and not drive if they’ve been drinking. The new statistics have given police some hope that they are on the right track with education, but know they still have a lot of work to do.

Hopefully North Dakota will continue to see a further decrease in the number of victims of fatal car accidents in 2014. However, while these accidents are still a reality for many people across the state, those who have lost a loved one in this type of tragic event may be able to pursue civil claims against the driver responsible. If liability is established, a civil court could grant the surviving family members financial relief for their loss and any other damages deemed recoverable under North Dakota laws.

Source: bismarcktribune.com, Fatalities decreased on North Dakota roads in 2013, Jenny Michael, Jan. 15, 2014.