Fatal Roads

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2018

Montana · year

Montana in 2018

Deaths 181Fatal crashes 167Per 100,000 17.0US deaths 36,835

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 2018.

In 2018, 181 people died in 167 fatal crashes in Montana, 17.0 deaths per 100,000 residents against 11.3 nationally.

The death toll was about level between 2017 (186) and 2018 (181).

Montana accounted for 0.5% of the 36,835 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

48.5% 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 (30%).

30% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Thursday was the most common day.

← 201720182019 →All years

Compared with 2017 and the nation

MeasureMontana 2018Montana 2017United States 2018
Deaths18118636,835
Fatal crashes16716933,919
Deaths per 100,000 residents17.017.611.3
Crashes with a drinking driver49%39%26%

Counties in 2018

Every county with a fatal crash in 2018, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 45 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
Yellowstone County212414.0203
Big Horn County111293.8130
Flathead County9108.7178
Lake County9926.990
Gallatin County797.1108
Cascade County889.5103
Madison County8882.029
Missoula County886.5165
Lewis and Clark County779.377
Ravalli County7714.546
Rosebud County6785.447
Fergus County4759.022
Lincoln County6627.048
Park County5527.748
Carbon County4543.542
Sanders County4536.043
Glacier County3322.255
Jefferson County3322.552
Mineral County3357.725
Roosevelt County3329.440
Beaverhead County1–21–2—33
Hill County1–21–2—24
Musselshell County1–21–2—17
Silver Bow County1–21–2—36
Stillwater County1–21–2—29
Teton County1–21–2—11
Valley County1–21–2—22
Blaine County1–21–2—16
Broadwater County1–21–2—21
Chouteau County1–21–2—28
Daniels County1–21–2—3
Dawson County1–21–2—16
Deer Lodge County1–21–2—21
Garfield County1–21–2—10
Granite County1–21–2—22
Judith Basin County1–21–2—16
McCone County1–21–2—6
Phillips County1–21–2—16
Pondera County1–21–2—16
Powder River County1–21–2—9
Richland County1–21–2—12
Sheridan County1–21–2—6
Sweet Grass County1–21–2—14
Toole 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

12am4.2%
1am5.4%
2am5.4%
3am1.2%
4am1.8%
5am3%
6am3%
7am3%
8am3.6%
9am2.4%
10am4.2%
11am3.6%
12pm3%
1pm4.2%
2pm5.4%
3pm7.8%
4pm4.2%
5pm4.8%
6pm6.6%
7pm6%
8pm4.8%
9pm6%
10pm3.6%
11pm3%

Weekday

Sunday12%
Monday17%
Tuesday8%
Wednesday10%
Thursday19%
Friday15%
Saturday19%

Road type

Other principal arterial30%
Local20%
Minor arterial17%
Major collector15%
Interstate14%
Minor collector3%
Other freeways and expressways1%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in Montana in 2018?

181 people in 167 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 2018 file, or 17.0 per 100,000 residents.

Which county in Montana had the most crash deaths in 2018?

Yellowstone County with 24 deaths in 21 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 2018 compare with 2017 in Montana?

181 deaths against 186 in 2017 (+-3%). Nationally the 2018 total was 36,835.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2018 national file (accident table, vehicle and person tables); US Census Bureau population estimates. Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.