North Dakota ended 2019 with 98 vehicle fatalities, according to preliminary reports.
If the totals do not change, it will be the first time in 17 years the state had fewer than 100 traffic fatalities.
“The only acceptable number of deaths on North Dakota roads is zero, and every year that we move closer to that goal represents important progress, because these aren’t just numbers – they’re people’s lives, and every life matters,” Gov. Doug Burgum said. “We’re grateful to our Vision Zero partners for their dedication to keeping everyone safe and secure, and to the traveling public who have heeded the initiative’s emphasis on personal responsibility, including driving sober and distraction-free, buckling up and slowing down.”
The state’s Vision Zero initiative aims to reduce traffic deaths in the state to zero through safety measures such as peer-to-peer programs in high schools, the establishment of highway safety corridors, and additional highway safety engineering systems.
The majority of 2019’s fatalities were the result of alcohol. A total of 83 percent of the victims were state residents.
Crashes included passenger vehicles, commercial motor vehicles, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, pedestrians, bicycles and a train.
Finalized crash reports and investigations will be completed within 30 days.