North Dakota Fatal Crash Statistics
The rate of fatal traffic accidents has fallen across the United States, but pedestrian fatalities have increased. In North Dakota, traffic fatalities fell from 2011 to 2014 but rose from a ten-year low in 2008. In fact, a look at the ten-year core performance measures from 2005 to 2014 shows an increase in fatalities who were
- unrestrained passengers
- involved in alcohol-related crashes
- involved in speed-related crashes
- not wearing helmets
- involved in crashes with young drivers
- bicyclists
- pedestrians
Total traffic fatalities fell from a high of 170 in 2012 to 135 in 2014, but this is a significant increase from the ten-year low of 105 deaths. Of these accident victims, 105 were passenger vehicle occupants, and only 29 were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that an additional 22 lives may have been saved if all passengers buckled up every time they traveled.
Alcohol-related traffic fatalities also decreased from a high of 72 in 2012 to 55 in 2014 but rose from a low of 42 in 2006. These rates keep North Dakota well above the national average for drunk driving deaths.
Speed-related deaths have almost steadily increased over the ten-year period, rising from 28 deaths in 2005 to a high of 62 in 2012, before falling to 50 deaths in 2014. Speeding is a negligent driving behavior that continues to work against the state’s goal of zero preventable highway deaths.
A closer look at fatality crash types shows –
- 77 crashes involved only a single vehicle
- 49 crashes involved one or more large trucks
- 56 involved a rollover crash
- 76 involved roadway departures
- 37 involved traffic at or near an intersection
In 2014, about ten motorcycle fatalities occurred across the state. Unfortunately, nine of those ten riders were not wearing their helmet at the time of the accident. The NHTSA estimates that an additional three lives could have been saved if all riders would wear their helmets every time they rode.
The number of novice operators involved in fatal accidents has remained basically the same throughout the ten-year period, even though the state has adopted a Graduated Driver’s License system. About 23 new operators were involved in fatal crashes in 2014, up from a low of 17 and down from a high of 26.
Pedestrian fatalities have remained stubborn over the ten-year period, falling to one death in 2013 and rising as high as nine deaths in 2014. Bicyclist fatalities also increased from a low of zero deaths to a high of three deaths. These statistics indicated that more needs to be done to foster safety for walkers, joggers, and cyclists who must share the road with motor vehicles.
Have You Been Injured in a Car Accident? Call Us Today!
America’s highways and bi-ways are dangerous. If you’ve been injured in a car accident or lost a loved one in a fatal crash, you need a dedicated team of attorneys and legal professionals fighting for your rights. Our attorneys have a long and proven record of helping the victims of car accidents get the compensation they deserve.
Call us today if you or a loved one were injured in a
- Commercial bus crashes
- School bus accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Truck crashes
- Motorcycle collisions
- Commercial vehicle accidents
- Semi-truck crashes
We’ll fight insurance companies, negligent operators, and reckless drivers to get you the maximum compensation you deserve.