2021 motor vehicle fatalities trending upward in North Dakota Lauren R. Bjork North Dakota Department of Transportation Motor vehicle fatalities in 2021 are trending higher than the previous two years, with 26 fatalities since Jan. 1. There were nine fatalities for the same time period in 2020, while 2019 had 22 fatalities. Preventable behavior such as not wearing a seat belt, driving under the influence, speeding, and lane departure contributes to motor vehicle fatalities in North Dakota. While 2020 motor vehicle fatalities in North Dakota started lower than previous years, the final count for the year was 100, the same as the total number of fatalities in 2019. Of the 100 fatalities in 2020: