ND Crashes and Fatalities - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

ND Crashes and Fatalities

Another area of concern for law enforcement is the number of fatal crashes across the state.

That number continues to rise, and officials say there's a simple solution to the problem - to pay attention.

Sergeant Huston with the North Dakota Highway Patrol says with the influx of people in western North Dakota, paying attention while driving is key to staying alive.

(Kevin Huston, Hwy Patrol Sgt.) "Unfortunately people are doing everything but driving now a days. They're talking on cell phones, texting, eating, adjusting radios, visiting other people in the vehicle and everything but driving their vehicle."

The number of deaths from crashes in the state of North Dakota is already 28 more than at this same time last year.

There have been 94 fatal crashes in the state, resulting in 122 deaths.

In just the northwest portion of North Dakota, there have been 46 fatal crashes, resulting in 52 deaths...making up approximately 43 percent of the fatalities in the entire state.

It's a trend officials want to change, and officials say there's only one way that can be done...

(Kevin Huston, Hwy Patrol Sgt.) "We are just asking people to use more care when they're driving. It's certainly their responsibly when they get behind the wheel. Law enforcement can't always be there and sometimes the motoring public has to take the responsibility and drive carefully."

Officials say 50-percent of the states fatalities were alcohol related, and approximately 50-percent of those who died in the crashes were not wearing a seat belt.