Anyone who takes to the road in North Dakota has reason to be concerned about safety. The same holds true for their loved ones. Whether it is the parent of a teen who is new to the responsibilities of operating an automobile; the family of an elderly person who might not have the same reaction time and judgment as they did in the past; people who have small children they are transporting; or those who drive for a living and make regular commutes in their vehicle, it is wise to pay attention to safety trends.
As drivers, passengers, bicyclists and pedestrians think about safety, it is important to note the current landscape and accident trends. When there is a crash, those who were hurt or lost a loved one need to be cognizant of the available options to help them recover from all that was lost.
Road deaths were up in North Dakota in 2023
In 2023, the road fatality statistics across the nation gave mixed signals. There was an overall decline in the number of people who lost their lives when compared to 2022 with 4% fewer people dying. However, there was an increase of more than 13% from 2019. North Dakota was one of seven states plus the District of Columbia that saw an increase of more than 10% from 2022 to 2023.
To promote safety, North Dakota has taken the initiative by implementing the Vision Zero program. The objective is to eventually prevent all road fatalities. Many states have put the program and its tenets in effect. Since so many people are involved in a crash because of driver behavior, the goal is to educate people on safe driving.
For example, a recent statewide campaign focused on drivers who were behind the wheel after drinking alcohol or using drugs. Overall, 147 people received citations. Ninety-two were placed under arrest for DUI; 40 were minors who had consumed alcohol, were in possession of it, or had an open container of alcohol; 15 arrests were due to drugs.
The fatality statistics specifically cited impairment, speeding and distraction as primary factors in fatal collisions. This suggests that attempts to reduce their incidence could be useful in saving lives.
Know the lasting implications of an auto accident
Despite earnest attempts to make the roads safer, the numbers suggest that auto accidents continue to be worrisome. Regardless of how and why it happened, people will be confronted with similar challenges in the aftermath. That includes medical costs, lost income, long-term pain, issues with contributing to their family and property loss.
It is key to understand how and why the crash occurred to formulate a comprehensive strategy to hold those responsible for the accident accountable for their behavior. There are steps that must be taken to recover compensation and understanding how to move forward should be known from the start.