North Dakota 'Obey the Sign or Pay the Fine' campaign results in over 3,100 speed citations

Photo by: WDAY Radio Staff
Photo by: WDAY Radio Staff

(Bismarck, ND) -- Law enforcement agencies across the state participated in the Obey The Sign or Pay The Fine enforcement campaign from April 22nd-May 22nd to reinforce the importance of driving the speed limit, and the number of citations was staggering.

A total of 3,581 citations were made throughout the enforcement patrols.Of those citations, 3,137 were tickets for speeding. Traffic stops also resulted in 139 other traffic citations, which included.disobeying traffic signals, equipment violations, five citations for running a red light, 56 suspended/revoked license violations, nine drug arrests, 54 uninsured motorists, 52 seat belt citations, and six DUI.

In North Dakota, 29 motor vehicle fatalities were speed-related in 2021, an increase of nearly 21% from 2020. High visibility enforcement for traffic safety is one element of the Vision Zero Summer H.E.A.T. (Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic) strategy to eliminate crash fatalities and serious injuries on North Dakota roads. H.E.A.T. will continue through August to encourage everyone to wear a seat belt, use appropriate child passenger safety seats, drive sober and distraction-free, and follow all posted speed limits.

Learn more about traffic safety initiatives from Vision Zero and the North Dakota Department of Transportation by clicking here.