North Dakota Law Would Make it Legal to Run Over Protestors

A bill proposed by a Republican lawmaker in North Dakota will shift forgive motorists any liability if they to run over pedestrians "negligently" occupying a freeway.

1 minute read

January 16, 2017, 10:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Dakota Access Pipeline

DAPL protestors at U.S. Bank in Minneapolis in December 2016. | Fibonacci Blue / Flickr

"Republican lawmakers in the state introduced a bill last week in the legislature that would not hold motorists liable for negligently running over someone obstructing a roadway," reports Justin Boggs. "The bill was introduced in response to a year of protests over a proposed pipeline near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation."

Nick Smith broke the news for the Bismark Tribune, reporting that Rep. Keith Kempenich, R-Bowman, wrote the legislation. The article quotes Kempenich's own words to describe the purpose of the bill: "It’s shifting the burden of proof from the motor vehicle driver to the pedestrian."

Smith provides additional details about the role of the North Dakota Highway Patrol in writing and enforcing the potential law. Boggs notes that the North Dakota House Transportation Committee will hear the bill later this week.

Wednesday, January 11, 2017 in Bismark Tribune

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