Bismarck, ND. - The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) today announced the release of the North Dakota Vision Zero Plan, the Strategic Highway Safety Plan update for 2018-2023, to reduce motor vehicle crash fatalities and serious injuries to zero.

The Vision Zero Plan was developed over nine months by North Dakota state agencies and more than 200 traffic safety partners representing state, local and tribal governments, and private organizations. The detailed plan uses data to identify areas of improvement through education, roadway safety enhancements and policy decisions.

“Enhancing safety through education, enforcement, engineering and emergency medical services is critical to the health and well-being of the citizens of North Dakota and to others who travel on North Dakota roads. Safety is a top priority for the North Dakota Department of Transportation and partners,” said NDDOT Director Tom Sorel. “Zero fatalities is not impossible, but it will take all of us to get there. The North Dakota Vision Zero Plan offers the opportunity for continued progress.”

The updated plan incorporates the vision, mission, and short-term goal of the newly launched strategy, Vision Zero. 

·         Vision: Establish a culture of personal responsibility where motor vehicle fatalities and serious injuries are recognized as preventable and not tolerated. 

·         Mission: Eliminate fatalities and serious injuries caused by motor vehicle crashes.

·         Short-term goal: Reduce motor vehicle crash fatalities to fewer than 75 by 2025.

There were 116 crash fatalities in 2017. To reach the short-term goal, fatality trends would have to decrease approximately 4.6 percent a year. Vision Zero leaders believe this can be accomplished through new and proven strategies as well as each driver taking personal responsibility on North Dakota roadways.

Vision Zero lead agencies include the NDDOT, the North Dakota Department of Health and the North Dakota Highway Patrol.  The 2018-2023 Vision Zero Plan, can be viewed here.