BISMARCK–A recent nighttime weight enforcement check in northwestern North Dakota found six  of the 16 vehicles stopped were breaking the law, the Highway Patrol said Monday.

Drivers caught operating vehicles in excess of legal weights are assessed overload fees.  Nearly $6,500 in fines were assessed to the drivers of the overloaded vehicles during this overnight enforcement effort, the Highway Patrol said. Year to date, the Highway Patrol has assessed $914,090 in overload fees.

The expanding economy in North Dakota has prompted the Highway Patrol to modify its weight enforcement strategies to better protect roadways and infrastructure, the agency said in a news release.