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1983

Montana · year

Montana in 1983

Deaths 286Fatal crashes 253Per 100,000 —US deaths 42,589

FARS data are based on police crash reports and other sources; the drunk-driving measure is based on the highest BAC of any driver in the crash. Final FARS file for 1983.

In 1983, 286 people died in 253 fatal crashes in Montana.

The death toll rose 13% from 254 in 1982 to 286 in 1983.

Montana accounted for 0.7% of the 42,589 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

59.7% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.

32% of the crashes happened between midnight to 6am; Thursday was the most common day.

Compared with 1982 and the nation

MeasureMontana 1983Montana 1982United States 1983
Deaths28625442,589
Fatal crashes25321537,976
Deaths per 100,000 residents———
Crashes with a drinking driver60%62%41%

Counties in 1983

Every county with a fatal crash in 1983, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 52 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
Yellowstone County273017.5203
Cascade County161821.3103
Flathead County161714.8178
Missoula County151713.9165
Glacier County121288.955
Sanders County111179.243
Lewis and Clark County91114.677
Rosebud County1010122.047
Fergus County8975.922
Lake County8926.990
Mineral County79173.225
Ravalli County7816.646
Gallatin County775.5108
Beaverhead County5660.033
Liberty County56310.22
Park County5633.248
Roosevelt County5658.840
Jefferson County3645.152
Big Horn County5539.1130
Madison County5551.329
Lincoln County4522.548
Powell County4570.231
Deer Lodge County4440.821
Sweet Grass County44106.514
Toole County4477.65
Garfield County34338.710
McCone County34233.06
Silver Bow County3411.136
Blaine County3343.516
Sheridan County3387.06
Carbon County1–2326.142
Dawson County1–2334.416
Richland County1–2327.212
Hill County1–2318.724
Carter County1–21–2—6
Petroleum County1–21–2—1
Phillips County1–21–2—16
Powder River County1–21–2—9
Stillwater County1–21–2—29
Teton County1–21–2—11
Wheatland County1–21–2—3
Musselshell County1–21–2—17
Broadwater County1–21–2—21
Chouteau County1–21–2—28
Custer County1–21–2—13
Daniels County1–21–2—3
Fallon County1–21–2—0
Granite County1–21–2—22
Meagher County1–21–2—8
Prairie County1–21–2—5
Treasure County1–21–2—10
Valley County1–21–2—22

Per 100,000 uses the 2024 population estimate for every year, so early-year rates are understated where a county has grown.

Hour of day

12am8%
1am8%
2am8.4%
3am4%
4am2.4%
5am1.2%
6am1.2%
7am3.2%
8am1.6%
9am4%
10am3.6%
11am1.2%
12pm4%
1pm2.8%
2pm3.2%
3pm6%
4pm4%
5pm4.8%
6pm6%
7pm3.6%
8pm2.8%
9pm4%
10pm6%
11pm6.4%

Weekday

Sunday15%
Monday12%
Tuesday12%
Wednesday12%
Thursday17%
Friday15%
Saturday17%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in Montana in 1983?

286 people in 253 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1983 file.

Which county in Montana had the most crash deaths in 1983?

Yellowstone County with 30 deaths in 27 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 1983 compare with 1982 in Montana?

286 deaths against 254 in 1982 (+13%). Nationally the 1983 total was 42,589.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1983 national file (accident table); US Census Bureau population estimates (no county estimates before 2000 are used, so no rate is shown for this year). Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.