Photo: North Dakota Highway Patrol

STATEWIDE, N.D. (NDDOT) – Lane departure is a leading cause of fatal crashes in North Dakota. In 2020, one lane departure-related crash occurred in North Dakota nearly every two hours.

Single-vehicle lane departure is the most common type of crash resulting in serious injuries in rural areas in North Dakota. 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.

To reduce lane departure crashes, the NDDOT is implementing enhanced safety features on roads across the state that are proven to reduce these types of crashes. These features include longitudinal delineators, curved warning signs, cable median barriers and edge and center-line rumble strips.

Research shows that 94% of crashes are attributable to preventable human behavior. All North Dakota drivers and vehicle occupants can take personal responsibility when traveling by always wearing a seat belt, using appropriate child passenger safety seats, following all posted speed limits and driving sober and distraction-free.

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