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N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – In honor of World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims on November 19, the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) invites North Dakotans to honor friends or family they have lost in motor vehicle crashes.

Remembrances can be shared through the NDDOT’s award-winning virtual Crash Memorial Wall at www.ndcodefortheroad.org/memorial/. The virtual wall allows family and friends to share memories of their loved ones in recognition of their lives, as well as to help others understand the impacts of fatal motor vehicle crashes.

“Motor vehicle fatalities are unexpected, which can cause a great deal of emotional suffering for those left behind. To help address this, the NDDOT created the North Dakota Crash Memorial Wall in 2015 to give those who are grieving a way to publicly honor their loved ones,” said Ashlee Doan, NDDOT Safety Public Information Specialist. “Each year, World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims gives us the opportunity to invite people to add to the virtual memorial wall or to simply visit the wall and be reminded of the importance of making smart decisions behind the wheel such as driving sober, distraction free, buckling up and obeying all other traffic laws.”

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of injury-related death in North Dakota, with 113 people killed as the result of motor vehicle crashes in 2016. About 58 percent of those killed in a motor vehicle crash were not wearing their seat belt, 43 percent were alcohol-related, and 22 percent were speed-related.

Immediate family members can create a memorial for those who have died in crashes in North Dakota at ndcodefortheroad.org/memorial.