Fatal wrecks are up statewide and in the Flathead

The most dangerous time to be on Montana’s roads and highways continues to be on dry pavement in clear weather during daylight hours. That conclusion and others can be found in the Montana Highway Patrol’s annual report for 2011.

MHP reported 209 people died in 187 fatal crashes in Montana last year — one death every 42 minutes. A total of 6,720 people were injured in 4,962 injury crashes — one injury every 78 minutes. All told, 20,636 crashes were reported in the state — one every 25 minutes.

Flathead County ranked third in fatal crashes last year among the state’s most populous counties. MHP reported 1,612 crashes were reported in the Flathead in 2011, including 13 fatal crashes and 444 injury crashes. Yellowstone County was number one, followed by Missoula County.

The number of fatalities in the Flathead has ranged widely over the past eight years from a high of 30 in 2006 to a low of nine in 2010. The average has been about 19. Statewide, the number of fatalities increased from 189 in 2010 to 209 last year.

“In recent years, we have seen historic decreases in traffic fatalities in our state,” MHP chief administrator Col. Michael Tooley said. “Unfortunately, in 2011 our traffic fatalities rose over 10 percent. While the numbers of people killed in DUI-related crashes continue to decrease, substantial increases in other areas overcame those gains. The three biggest factors in fatal crashes continue to be failure to use safety restraints, speeding and driving under the influence.”

The number of citations for DUI and DUI per se (where the blood-alcohol content is 0.08 percent or greater) decreased 15 percent from 2,578 in 2010 to 2,177 last year. But the number of drug arrests more than doubled, increasing from 392 in 2010 to 870 last year.

In a more detailed breakdown, alcohol was present in drivers in 4 percent of all crashes, 6 percent of injury crashes and 19 percent of fatal crashes. Drugs were present in drivers in less than 1 percent of all crashes, 1.5 percent of injury crashes and 9 percent of fatal crashes.

Statistically, most crashes occur on Fridays in November from 5 to 6 p.m. on interstate or primary highways. Most fatal crashes occur on Saturdays in August from 8 to 9 p.m. on interstate or primary highways.

Male drivers account for about 58 percent of all crashes. Rear-end or right angle crashes involving passenger cars are the most typical for all crashes and fatal crashes.

The top four contributing causes for all crashes in 2011 were reckless driving, inattentive driving, speeding and failure to yield right of way. The top four for fatal crashes were reckless driving, running off the road, over-correcting and failure to stay in the proper lane. Cell phone usage by a driver was a contributing circumstance in 254 accidents, including five fatal accidents.

Twenty-one people died in 19 fatal motorcycle crashes last year, and 342 people were injured in 293 injury crashes. Whereas less than 1 percent of all crashes statewide had a fatality, 4.7 percent of all motorcycle crashes had a fatality.

Perhaps more telling, about 24 percent of all crashes had an injury, while 73 percent of all motorcycle crashes had an injury.

Seat belt usage high except with teens

According to a recent survey conducted by the Montana Department of Transportation, about 93 percent of Montanans 15 years or older always or almost always wear selt belts.

Of the remaining 7 percent of survey respondents, who said they seldom, rarely or never wear seat belts, the primary reason given was “lack of habit” or “just driving in town.”

MDT says about two-thirds of the people who died in vehicle crashes over the past five years were not wearing a seat belt.

A total of 1,832 people 15 years or older responded to the survey by the Montana Seat Belt Workgroup in February.

About 25 percent of respondents 15-19 years old said they seldom, rarely or never wear a seat belt. About 35 percent said they always do.

“Young drivers have less driving experience and are more likely to be involved in a crash than older, more experienced drivers,” MDT says. “Seat belt use is an effective way to ensure young drivers live to become experienced drivers.”

The seat belt usage figures improve right away with age. About 60 percent of respondents in the 20-29 year old range said they always wear a seat belt, and about 70 percent of those 30 years and older said they always do.

Survey results also found that people who don’t regularly use seat belts were more likely to believe seat belt usage is not required by law. They also didn’t think seat belts were needed for driving short distances.