Fatal Roads

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2017

Montana · year

Montana in 2017

Deaths 186Fatal crashes 169Per 100,000 17.6US deaths 37,473

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 2017.

In 2017, 186 people died in 169 fatal crashes in Montana, 17.6 deaths per 100,000 residents against 11.5 nationally.

The death toll was about level between 2016 (190) and 2017 (186).

Montana accounted for 0.5% of the 37,473 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

39.1% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.

By FHWA road function class, the largest share was on other principal arterial roads (31%).

38% of the crashes happened between noon to 6pm; Saturday was the most common day.

← 201620172018 →All years

Compared with 2016 and the nation

MeasureMontana 2017Montana 2016United States 2017
Deaths18619037,473
Fatal crashes16917134,560
Deaths per 100,000 residents17.618.211.5
Crashes with a drinking driver39%47%27%

Counties in 2017

Every county with a fatal crash in 2017, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 41 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
Missoula County161713.9165
Flathead County131513.1178
Big Horn County1113101.6130
Yellowstone County12127.0203
Lewis and Clark County101114.677
Gallatin County997.1108
Lake County9926.990
Glacier County6751.855
Cascade County667.1103
Hill County5637.324
Broadwater County4672.321
Powell County4684.331
Silver Bow County5513.836
Dawson County4445.816
Madison County4441.029
Chouteau County3468.028
Valley County3453.822
Treasure County1–24541.310
Beaverhead County3330.033
Jefferson County3322.552
Park County3316.648
Roosevelt County3329.440
Rosebud County3336.647
Sanders County3321.643
Carbon County1–21–2—42
Deer Lodge County1–21–2—21
Lincoln County1–21–2—48
Mineral County1–21–2—25
Phillips County1–21–2—16
Prairie County1–21–2—5
Richland County1–21–2—12
Stillwater County1–21–2—29
Granite County1–21–2—22
Fergus County1–21–2—22
Garfield County1–21–2—10
Liberty County1–21–2—2
Meagher County1–21–2—8
Powder River County1–21–2—9
Ravalli County1–21–2—46
Sheridan County1–21–2—6
Sweet Grass County1–21–2—14

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

12am2.4%
1am3%
2am4.2%
3am2.4%
4am2.4%
5am1.8%
6am2.4%
7am3.6%
8am0%
9am4.2%
10am2.4%
11am4.2%
12pm6%
1pm5.4%
2pm10.1%
3pm5.4%
4pm6%
5pm4.8%
6pm4.8%
7pm6%
8pm3.6%
9pm3.6%
10pm7.7%
11pm4.2%

Weekday

Sunday15%
Monday10%
Tuesday18%
Wednesday9%
Thursday15%
Friday14%
Saturday19%

Road type

Other principal arterial31%
Interstate21%
Major collector18%
Local18%
Minor arterial8%
Minor collector4%
Other freeways and expressways1%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in Montana in 2017?

186 people in 169 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 2017 file, or 17.6 per 100,000 residents.

Which county in Montana had the most crash deaths in 2017?

Missoula County with 17 deaths in 16 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 2017 compare with 2016 in Montana?

186 deaths against 190 in 2016 (+-2%). Nationally the 2017 total was 37,473.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2017 national file (accident table, vehicle and person tables); US Census Bureau population estimates. Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.