Crash fatalities up, Northwest posts high figure

Data collected by the Montana Highway Patrol indicate that roadway deaths in Montana increased by about 10 percent in 2013 over 2012.

Fatal crashes involving alcohol, however, dropped by about a third. The Highway Patrol attributed the decrease to better drunken-driving enforcement and protection efforts, including the state’s new 24/7 sobriety program for drivers charged with a DUI.

A total of 224 people died in 198 crashes in Montana in 2013, compared to 204 people dying in 191 crashes in 2012. The Northwest Montana district had the most fatalities at 39, with the Billings district coming in second at 38.

Fatal accidents involving pedestrians more than tripled in 2013, from seven deaths in seven crashes in 2012 to 23 deaths in 22 accidents in 2013. The Highway Patrol had no answer for that dramatic increase but noted that abnormal situations occurred in many of those accidents.

Deaths in motorcycle accidents increased from 30 in 2012 to 34 in 2013, and lack of seat belt use was a factor in the deaths of 186 people in 163 crashes in 2013.

The Highway Patrol noted that the largest category of crash fatalities involved a single vehicle where alcohol was a factor and seat belts were not used.