‘Vision Zero’ update reveals dramatic drop in North Dakota traffic fatalities
M.K. French
Farmer Staff Writer
The McKenzie County Board of County Commissioners received a positive update on North Dakota’s ‘Vision Zero’ program, with representatives announcing that the state’s traffic fatality rate has reached its lowest point in 24 years. The good news was accompanied by the introduction of a new coordinator who will now serve McKenzie County.
Molly Schoen, Vision Zero Coordinator for what was formerly the Northwest region, and Kelly Gillen, the new Western Coordinator, addressed the commission to provide an overview of the program’s progress. “Vision Zero is North Dakota’s initiative to get to zero fatalities on our roadways,” The program focuses on outreach and education to promote traffic safety.
Schoen shared promising preliminary data for 2024, noting a fatality rate of 89, a significant decrease from 106 in 2023. She provided a more localized breakdown for McKenzie County in 2023, which saw 278 crashes, resulting in 107 injuries and five fatalities.
Gillen, a Dickinson native with a strong background in the oil and energy industry, was introduced as the new point of contact for McKenzie County and eight other western counties. “I have driven these roads, many hours, many miles,” Gillen said, emphasizing her familiarity with the region’s unique driving challenges. She expressed excitement about working with local entities, including the sheriff’s department and Watford City’s Vision Zero School, to promote safety. “I’m looking forward to jumping in with the high school and reaching the kids at that level,” Gillen stated, with a focus on “seatbelt, distracted driving, [and] driving impaired.”
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