BISMARCK, N.D. (NDDOT) – The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) and the North Dakota Highway Patrol (NDHP) want to remind all residents to always wear their seat belt when traveling as motor vehicle fatalities in 2020 near 100. Seat belt use is the single most effective way to reduce injuries and fatalities in motor vehicle crashes. The current preliminary fatality count is 93, whereas the same period in 2019 was 92. Total lives lost on North Dakota roads in 2019 were 100. The last time fatalities were below 100 was in 2002 when there were 97. Should North Dakota end the year under 100 motor vehicle fatalities, it will be the third straight year in a downward trend.