Fatal Roads

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2019

Montana · year

Montana in 2019

Deaths 184Fatal crashes 166Per 100,000 17.2US deaths 36,355

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 2019.

In 2019, 184 people died in 166 fatal crashes in Montana, 17.2 deaths per 100,000 residents against 11.1 nationally.

The death toll was about level between 2018 (181) and 2019 (184).

Montana accounted for 0.5% of the 36,355 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

42.2% 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 (35%).

35% of the crashes happened between noon to 6pm; Monday was the most common day.

Compared with 2018 and the nation

MeasureMontana 2019Montana 2018United States 2019
Deaths18418136,355
Fatal crashes16616733,487
Deaths per 100,000 residents17.217.011.1
Crashes with a drinking driver42%49%26%

Counties in 2019

Every county with a fatal crash in 2019, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 42 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
Yellowstone County171810.5203
Big Horn County1116125.0130
Flathead County121513.1178
Lake County81029.990
Cascade County71011.8103
Missoula County997.3165
Roosevelt County7988.340
Gallatin County775.5108
Lewis and Clark County668.077
Silver Bow County6616.636
Mineral County56115.525
Lincoln County5522.548
Park County5527.748
Ravalli County5510.446
Sanders County5536.043
Phillips County4494.916
Beaverhead County3330.033
Carbon County3326.142
Glacier County3322.255
Hill County3318.724
Jefferson County3322.552
Rosebud County3336.647
Custer County1–21–2—13
Dawson County1–21–2—16
Deer Lodge County1–21–2—21
Garfield County1–21–2—10
Granite County1–21–2—22
McCone County1–21–2—6
Pondera County1–21–2—16
Powell County1–21–2—31
Richland County1–21–2—12
Blaine County1–21–2—16
Broadwater County1–21–2—21
Carter County1–21–2—6
Chouteau County1–21–2—28
Judith Basin County1–21–2—16
Madison County1–21–2—29
Sheridan County1–21–2—6
Sweet Grass County1–21–2—14
Teton County1–21–2—11
Valley County1–21–2—22
Wibaux County1–21–2—1

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%
1am3.6%
2am2.4%
3am0.6%
4am2.4%
5am3.6%
6am0.6%
7am4.2%
8am3.6%
9am1.8%
10am3.6%
11am5.4%
12pm3%
1pm8.4%
2pm9.6%
3pm3%
4pm4.8%
5pm6%
6pm4.8%
7pm4.8%
8pm4.2%
9pm2.4%
10pm7.8%
11pm4.8%

Weekday

Sunday16%
Monday17%
Tuesday13%
Wednesday12%
Thursday8%
Friday16%
Saturday17%

Road type

Other principal arterial35%
Local18%
Minor arterial16%
Interstate14%
Major collector14%
Minor collector2%
Other freeways and expressways0%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in Montana in 2019?

184 people in 166 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 2019 file, or 17.2 per 100,000 residents.

Which county in Montana had the most crash deaths in 2019?

Yellowstone County with 18 deaths in 17 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 2019 compare with 2018 in Montana?

184 deaths against 181 in 2018 (+2%). Nationally the 2019 total was 36,355.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2019 national file (accident table, vehicle and person tables); US Census Bureau population estimates. Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.