Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/1036514
A Message from the NDDOT Director Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of injury-related death in North Dakota While the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) is continually making highway improvements, there is still work to be done In January 2018, the NDDOT, North Dakota Highway Patrol, North Dakota Department of Health and the Governor's Offi ce, came together to launch Vision Zero: Zero fatalities. Zero excuses. The Vision Zero strategy aims to establish a culture of personal responsibility where motor vehicle fatalities and serious injuries are recognized as preventable and not tolerated Vision Zero will be implemented through various safety strategies including: (1) widespread public education/outreach, (2) working with the legislature to ensure state laws represent best practices in traffi c safety, (3) high visibility enforcement of existing laws, (4) technology advancements and (5) infrastructure/road safety improvements We are asking every driver and vehicle occupant in North Dakota to help us meet the Vision Zero goal of zero motor vehicle fatalities and serious injuries on North Dakota roads by taking personal responsibility when traveling This means always wearing a seat belt, transporting children in child passenger safety seats appropriate for the child's age, height, and weight, driving distraction free, driving sober (i.e. not under the infl uence of alcohol and/or drugs), and obeying all posted speed limits and all other traffi c laws. The Vision Zero goal of zero fatalities and serious injuries is attainable and vital When it comes to your life and the lives of your family and friends, is any other number acceptable? Let us all arrive at our destination safely by each taking a role in Vision Zero Thomas Sorel NDDOT Director