The number of traffic fatalities in North Dakota is down – compared with last year.
In 2012 – 170 people died in traffic crashes. This year, the number so far is 90.
"It can probably be attributed to quite a few different things," said Highway Patrol Sgt. Tom Iverson. "Our enforcement efforts, our educational efforts."
Iverson hopes the trend will continue.
"Is any fatal good? No, it's not," said Iverson. "But if we can continue to see a downward slide, that's where we hope it will continue to go."
Two oil patch counties – McKenzie and Williams – top the list for fatal crashes.
"That region up there, the Northwest region, is just inundated with fatal crashes," said Iverson. "It's taxing on the people that live there, as well as for law enforcement."
Iverson says the 2013 Legislature allowed the Patrol to increase its numbers in the West. And he says the Patrol is in the process of hiring and training officers.