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North Dakota updates Move Over Law

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) - In 2001, North Dakota enacted the “Move Over Law” to help keep emergency responders and their vehicles safe. Now the law has expanded to all vehicles.

The Highway Patrol assisted more than 5,600 drivers stuck on the side of the road last year.

The updated law now requires drivers on the interstate or any multi-lane highway outside city limits to move over for any stopped motor vehicle displaying flashing hazard lights.

Citing the safety concern for all motorists, Sergeant of the North Dakota Highway Patrol Jenna Clawson Huibregtse believes updating the law was an easy decision.

“Every year we’re looking at more ways to make North Dakota’s roadways safer, and in our effort to bring fatalities to zero, this was kind of a no-brainer. We see vehicles hit all the time on the side of the road,” said Huibregtse.

Any driver who receives a ticket for disobeying the Move Over Law will receive a $50 fine and have two points added to their driving record.

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16 Pros and Cons of Living in North Dakota

The worst thing about North Dakota has to be its harsh winters.

Even so, US News and World Report have ranked it the best place to live in the United States at least twice in the last four years.

There are a lot of wide-open spaces and lots of small towns.

There are also lots of jobs available, plenty of opportunities, and a lower cost of living.

All of that adds up to a good quality of life.

1. Low unemployment

2. housing costs are lower, 3. lower cost of living, 4. low taxes, 5. rural atmosphere, 6. friendly people, 7. great food, 8. lower crime rate, 1. harsh winters, 2. isolation, 3. there is not much going on, 4. lack of diversity, 5. wildlife and bugs, 7. crime in fargo, 8. low population density, pros and cons of living in north dakota – summary table, north dakota safety overview, how cold is north dakota really, what are some records for the coldest cities in the state, what effect has oil had on north dakota, what is north dakota historically famous for, what are the most common crops in north dakota, pros of living in north dakota.

Unemployment is low across the nation, but North Dakota is among the leaders at 2.6 percent in 2022, and that was a 1.2 percent decrease from the height of Covid.

Over the last several years, North Dakota’s unemployment rate has been around two percent.

Energy, agriculture, and health care are the three main industries of employment in North Dakota.

Unemployment is so low that many companies have a hard time finding workers.

On average, houses cost 12 percent less than the national average.

Apartment rentals are reasonable too, often as much as 30 percent below the national average for a two-bedroom apartment.

The median cost of a house is $235,000, which is slightly below the national average.

In very rural areas, houses can be found for much less than that, though they may be very isolated.

Earnings are just two percent below the national average, while housing is 12 percent less expensive, making it even less costly.

Things like groceries, utilities, and health care are all about 10 percent below the national average.

The cost of heating a home in winter is higher as you would expect, but cooling in summer is less costly.

The cost of automobile ownership is also about 25 percent below the national average.

North Dakota also has lower gasoline prices than many states.

North Dakota is a tax-friendly state both for businesses and for individuals.

The state income tax is just under three percent, one of the lowest.

The state income tax also only applies to the highest earners.

Property values are lower, and as a result, property taxes are also lower than average.

Sales taxes are the ninth-lowest at 4.25 percent.

North Dakota’s tax burden is at about eight percent, which is the 13th lowest in the nation.

There are also tax incentives for businesses to move to North Dakota.

North Dakota has only one city with more than 100,000 people and only nine towns with more than 8,000.

As much as 90 percent of the state is made up of farming and ranching operations, as well as some mining.

There is virtually no traffic congestion anywhere.

If you want a peaceful lifestyle and wide-open spaces, North Dakota might be a great place for you.

The land is open and rugged, and maybe it is because people have survived tough winters, but most people in North Dakota are helpful to new people and generally friendly.

The word Dakota is a Native American word meaning Friend.

It is called the Peace Garden State in a nod to its large botanical garden.

“North Dakota Nice ,” is a phrase residents use to describe themselves.

Every state has its food specialties.

North Dakota has a lot of German, Norwegian, and Native American influences in its cuisine, which is often hearty.

There is a casserole called a “hot dish” that is a traditional dish used to warm you up on a cold winter night.

There are a lot of cattle in this state, and as a result, some of the best steaks you will find anywhere are in North Dakota. Steaks from Bison are also popular here.

North Dakota did see a slight rise in its crime rate in 2021, but the state is still below the national average.

Violent crime was at 3.3 crimes per 1,000 people, and the national average is 4.0.

A slight increase in property crime put the rate at 20 per 1,000 people, and that is at the national average.

Several smaller towns have less than one violent crime per year, and sometimes they do not have one for a whole year.

The town of Hazen, population 2300, has had only one violent crime in the last three years.

Cons of Living in North Dakota

Winter seems to last forever here, and it does stay very cold for months.

All four seasons are represented, but winter stands out.

It is common to have 10 days or more in a row where the temperature does not get up to zero, let alone freezing.

There is also a lot of wind, and the wind chill often gets to dangerous levels.

There is also a lot of snow.

There can be snow on the ground for 2-3 months straight.

There has been snow recorded every month except July and August.

North Dakota averages 38 inches of snow, which is the 13th most in the nation.

There are a lot of small towns around the state, and some of them are remote.

Even if not, they are far apart.

Getting from one town to another will take a long time driving through wheat fields and less-than-inspiring scenery.

It can get tedious.

Roads are basically good as long as they are not blocked by snowfall.

Still, interstates do not cover much of the state.

You will face a lot of time driving on two-lane highways.

Any large city is several hours away by car, and airports are regional in nature.

This can be a positive for some people, but if you like a more active lifestyle, you may be disappointed.

There is hunting, fishing, hiking, cross-country skiing, and so forth, but beyond that, there is not a lot to do.

Fargo and Bismarck have some urban amenities, and beyond those two towns, you may struggle to find much activity.

You have to find a way to make your own entertainment here.

If you want exciting city life, North Dakota may not be the place you want.

Culturally, there is not much going on as far as opera, art, or live music.

Options there are very limited.

There is not much ethnic diversity either.

More than 90 percent of the population is white.

You may have a hard time finding Mexican restaurants, for instance.

The job market is good, but there is not much diversity there either.

Agriculture and energy production are where almost all the opportunity is.

You can see a lot of wildlife in North Dakota, but it can be dangerous if you are not careful.

There are Bison, Moose, and Deer, and at times they are out on the highway.

They are known to attack if they feel threatened.

There are also rattlesnakes in the prairie grass that can attack if they are surprised or feel threatened, such as being stepped on.

There are also a lot of mosquitos, ticks, and other insects that can be a nuisance.

Housing costs in North Dakota are a positive, so it is strange in a way, but you may have trouble finding housing.

There are just not enough houses in many cases, but that has not made prices go up much.

Mostly because of the energy boom in recent years, there has been an influx of workers, and that has made housing harder to find.

Overall, the state has a low crime rate, but the biggest city in the state, Fargo, with a population of 120,000, has a lot of crime.

It has a violent crime rate of 4.65 per 1,000, which is higher than the national average of 4.0, and the state average of 3.2.

Rape cases were more than twice the national average for any city of any size.

Fargo averages .86 rapes per 1,000, while the national average is .38 per 1,000.

It also has a higher rate of assaults than the national average.

With slightly more than 11 people per square mile, North Dakota is the fourth least densely populated state in the nation.

The state takes a more rural approach than an urban approach to development.

This is great for people who love the outdoors and wide-open spaces.

It is a little harder for people who like being around a lot of people.

The lower population density could keep the state from utilizing all its natural resources and slow economic development.

READ THE FULL REPORT: North Dakota Safety Review

• OVERALL RISK: LOW
• TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
• PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
• NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
• MUGGING RISK: LOW
• TERRORISM RISK: LOW
• SCAMS RISK: LOW
• WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Frequently Asked Questions

Including Alaska, four of the coldest 10 cities in the nation are located in North Dakota.

Based on average minimum temperatures, Grand Forks is the second coldest city in the nation, followed by Williston and Fargo to round out the top four.

Bismarck comes in at No. 8.

Neighboring states of South Dakota and Minnesota account for five of the 10 coldest cities.

The coldest ever recorded was 60 below zero in the town of Parshall in 1936.

Williston has reached below 50 twice.

Bismarck reached below 40 at least three times.

Several towns went eight straight days below zero in 2019.

The town of Minot was among them, and Minot holds the record of 15 days below zero in 1936.

Oil and gas have made many people wealthy in North Dakota.

Traditionally, it has not been a wealthy state.

In 2010 there were 9,000 millionaires, and by 2021 there were almost 20,000 millionaires.

In 2019, there was one billionaire in the state.

Teddy Roosevelt hunted in what is known as the Badlands in 1883, and that eventually became Teddy Roosevelt National Park.

It was here that he became an ardent conservationist.

As much as 90 percent of the state is in agriculture.

North Dakota is second only to Kansas as far as winter wheat production.

It leads the nation in growing Durum wheat, which is used to make pasta.

It also leads the nation in barley, sunflower seeds, and flaxseed.

Additional Resources

2 Comments on 16 Pros and Cons of Living in North Dakota

I lived in ND for 12 years and my kids grew up there. I’m Asian and yes most people are white and most were not friendly…

I lived in Dickinson which was pretty populated. Nothing much to do and was hard to find Asian groceries…

I had to go to Bismarck just to get some.

Winter is harsh and very cold…

My kids went to school there and love the snow and sliding down the hills…

As for me, I never want to go back there .not missing the cold and harsh winter

Winters are harsh in North Dakota more so in almost any other part of the US, it’s the only reason I can say don’t move here, but other than that, it’s a bit of a racist place, if you are not white, you will feel it.

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International Travel Safety

The University respects the academic freedom of all students, faculty, and staff to pursue international research, educational activities and service and recognizes that important work may sometimes take place in locations that pose unusual health and safety risks.

UND recognizes that travelers have significant responsibility for their own health, safety and security. UND also has an institutional interest in promoting this health, safety and security while pursuing its mission. These guidelines define basic institutional requirements that will promote these joint interests. 

UND-Affiliated International Travel Process

All international travelers must register their UND-affiliated travel with the institution.  Travel registration forms will be reviewed based on the US Department of State Advisories.  UND’s policy regarding Travel Advisories is as follows:

• Travel to countries with advisory levels of 1 or 2 is permissible but travelers will be required to confirm through the registration process that they are aware of the risks associated with their travel. 
• Travel to countries with a US Department of State Levels 3 and 4 Advisory is permitted with approval from the appropriate Dean/Supervisor and Vice President/Provost.  Travelers will be required to confirm through the registration process that they are aware of the risk associated with their travel.
• Travel to U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S Virgin Islands, is not subject to the international travel registration process. Anyone traveling internationally or outside the continental U.S., including U.S. territories, regardless of Department of State advisory level, is required to fill out the UND Check-in feature on the SafeCampus app. This allows UND to contact individuals with a notification push to contact UND in the event of an emergency (e.g. family, terrorist, earthquake).  
• All travelers, including international and domestic (including U.S. territories), are required to contact the UND Office of Safety to determine workers compensation and/or insurance prior to their departure  

International Travel Guidelines

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These guidelines outline the University’s requirements:

• UND related travel to  destinations outside the United States, regardless of US Department of State advisory level,  must complete the International Travel Registration Form.
• University Directed Study Abroad Programs student participants are exempt from this process as participants will be registered through UND Study Abroad application; Faculty should still complete this process.
• Official UND-affiliated travelers associated with EERC are required to work directly with EERC and the UND Office of Safety regarding their travel process, submit the appropriate EERC travel forms, and are exempt from this registration process.

International Travel Registration

To register your international travel, follow the steps below. Be sure to review the appropriate sections for individual travel or group travel, depending on your travel needs.

1. Research Your Destination

• Review the current US Department of State Advisory Level (as of the date of form completion). 
• Research specific country information, recent or current travel warnings and alerts, and passport and visa requirements at Travel.State.Gov .
• Research vaccination, health, and wellness information for your destination at the Traveler’s Center of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . 

2. Prepare Your Documents

If possible, complete the steps below to register your travel at least three weeks prior to your departure . 

• UND employees traveling and working outside the U.S. for more than 30 days will only be covered by ND Workforce Safety and Insurance (WSI) from the day they leave through the 30th day for any work-related injury. If working on behalf of UND for near to or more than 30 days during international travel, a Notification of Out-of-Country Workers Compensation Coverage Form must also be completed. A link to this form is included in the appropriate registration form listed below. 
• UND works with Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) health insurance, which specifically covers international health issues that most domestic health insurance does not cover for health related issues outside of the U.S. This coverage is not required for non-study abroad travel, but there may be applicable coverage options for other UND sponsored travel. Contact the UND Office of Safety for more information. 
• International travel may also have export control implications. UND employees traveling internationally should review the UND Export Controls International Travel website to determine if the intended international travel may present export control concerns. 
• All faculty, staff and students traveling internationally or outside the continental U.S. for UND-sponsored travel are required to fill out the UND Check-in feature on the SafeCampus App . This allows UND to contact individuals with a notification push to contact UND in the event of an emergency. You will be required to acknowledge that you downloaded and activated the SafeCampus App in the appropriate registration form listed below.

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• Make photocopies or digital images of your important documents including the photo page of your passport, related visa information, and any vaccinations required for your destination and return to the U.S. Keep these copies in a safe and separate location from the originals. 
• Inform your financial institution(s) that you will be traveling internationally and make copies of important account information in case of problems. Keep these copies in a safe and separate locations from the originals.
• Consider any prescription medications, extra contact lenses and/or eyeglasses, a high-quality guidebook, language dictionary or phrase book, and high-quality sun protection and/or bug repellents. These items are often the most difficult to find internationally. 
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• Consider enrolling in the State Department STEP Program , which is a free service that allows U.S. citizens traveling or living abroad to receive the latest security updates from the U.S. embassy or consulate.
• Update UND Office of Safety if your travel plans change. 

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