STATEWIDE (NewsDakota.com) – Single-vehicle lane departure is the most common type of crash resulting in serious injuries in rural areas in North Dakota.

The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) reminds drivers to take personal responsibility behind the wheel to avoid lane departure crashes.

A lane departure crash occurs after a vehicle crosses an edge line, a center line, or otherwise leaves the traveled way. Crashes of this type are generally very serious because they often happen at relatively high speeds. In 2019, fatal single-vehicle lane departure crashes involved overturning and rolling over as well as collisions with fixed objects such as trees, utility/light poles, traffic signs and mailboxes.

“Lane departure crashes could be prevented if each driver focused on the road rather than distractions,” said NDDOT Safety Director Karin Mongeon. “Put away cell phones and other electronics, always drive sober and pull over in a safe location if you are tired. Implementing these small changes will get us closer to zero fatalities and serious injuries on North Dakota roads.”

A lane departure-related crash occurred nearly every two hours and a fatality occurred nearly every six days in 2019.

Drivers can take personal responsibility by wearing a seat belt, using appropriate child passenger safety seats, driving sober and distraction-free, following all posted speed limits, and staying in their lane.

Visit the North Dakota Crash Memorial Wall to view memorials built on the hope of preventing another death on North Dakota roads.