Unintended lane departure top cause of deadly accidents in North Dakota

(Fargo, ND) -- The leading cause of deadly crashes in North Dakota is unintended lane departure according to the state's transportation department.

"So a lane departure crash is anytime you leave your intended lane, so crossing the edge line or a center line, or otherwise leaving the traveled way, anytime you're leaving that intended lane of travel," said Lauren Bjork, Safety Public Information Program Manager for the North Dakota Department of Transportation. 

Bjork reminds drivers to stay focused, stay off the phone, and stay sober while behind the wheel. The death toll on the state's roadways is actually down this year compared to the same time period last year. So far in 2022 the total is 75. Last year in September, the total was at 82.  

Bjork says the agency is taking a number of steps aimed at reducing the number of these crashes, including installing longitudinal delineators, curved warning signs, cable median barriers, and edge and center-line rumble strips.