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1986

Montana · year

Montana in 1986

Deaths 222Fatal crashes 193Per 100,000 —US deaths 46,087

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 1986.

In 1986, 222 people died in 193 fatal crashes in Montana.

The death toll was about level between 1985 (223) and 1986 (222).

Montana accounted for 0.5% of the 46,087 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

55.4% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.

33% of the crashes happened between noon to 6pm; Saturday was the most common day.

Compared with 1985 and the nation

MeasureMontana 1986Montana 1985United States 1986
Deaths22222346,087
Fatal crashes19319441,090
Deaths per 100,000 residents———
Crashes with a drinking driver55%64%43%

Counties in 1986

Every county with a fatal crash in 1986, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 47 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
Yellowstone County192615.2203
Lake County101132.990
Silver Bow County101027.736
Flathead County9108.7178
Cascade County8910.6103
Lewis and Clark County7912.077
Roosevelt County6988.340
Missoula County886.5165
Rosebud County7785.447
Hill County6743.624
Pondera County57115.216
Glacier County6644.455
Lincoln County6627.048
Ravalli County5612.546
Big Horn County5539.1130
Blaine County5572.416
Powell County5570.231
Valley County5567.322
Beaverhead County4550.033
Toole County1–2597.05
Custer County4433.413
Madison County4441.029
Stillwater County4442.329
Gallatin County1–243.2108
Carbon County3326.142
Chouteau County3351.028
Granite County3383.322
Park County3316.648
Sanders County3321.643
McCone County1–23174.76
Mineral County1–2357.725
Powder River County1–23173.09
Deer Lodge County1–21–2—21
Fallon County1–21–2—0
Jefferson County1–21–2—52
Sheridan County1–21–2—6
Sweet Grass County1–21–2—14
Carter County1–21–2—6
Broadwater County1–21–2—21
Daniels County1–21–2—3
Dawson County1–21–2—16
Garfield County1–21–2—10
Golden Valley County1–21–2—5
Musselshell County1–21–2—17
Phillips County1–21–2—16
Prairie County1–21–2—5
Wheatland County1–21–2—3

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

12am3.2%
1am5.3%
2am4.2%
3am0.5%
4am1.6%
5am2.1%
6am4.2%
7am1.6%
8am1.6%
9am2.6%
10am5.3%
11am2.1%
12pm4.7%
1pm8.9%
2pm5.3%
3pm4.2%
4pm4.2%
5pm5.8%
6pm4.2%
7pm4.7%
8pm7.4%
9pm5.3%
10pm3.7%
11pm7.4%

Weekday

Sunday18%
Monday10%
Tuesday10%
Wednesday9%
Thursday12%
Friday17%
Saturday24%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in Montana in 1986?

222 people in 193 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 1986 file.

Which county in Montana had the most crash deaths in 1986?

Yellowstone County with 26 deaths in 19 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 1986 compare with 1985 in Montana?

222 deaths against 223 in 1985 (0%). Nationally the 1986 total was 46,087.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 1986 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.