Montana sees decline in road fatalities, but impaired driving remains a concern

MONTANA — New data from the Montana Department of Transportation shows a decline in road fatalities, yet the numbers still highlight ongoing issues with impaired driving and seatbelt use.

As of February 25, 19 people have died in crashes on Montana roads this year, compared to 28 during the same period last year. Preliminary data indicates that 9 of those fatalities involved impaired driving and 15 were related to not wearing a seatbelt.

State officials emphasize that these behaviors are common factors in deadly crashes. Doug McBroom, Operations Manager at the Montana Department of Transportation, highlighted the pattern.

"46% of our fatalities over the last ten years, were unrestrained," McBroom said. "But 39% of the fatalities over the last ten years have been, substance, some kind of substance, alcohol or other substance on board that resulted in a fatal crash and a fatality."

For Ashley Bonus, these statistics hit close to home. Bonus, a leader in the Western Washington chapter of Montana Bar Fairies, shared her personal connection to the issue. Her advocacy began after her sister, Stacy Gammons-Ankerfelt, was hit by an impaired driver in 2012. Stacy, who was shopping for school supplies and garage sale items for her classroom, was struck outside her car and later died after surgery.

"This was something that was 100% preventable, and nobody could save her," Bonus said. "I share our story because I don’t want other people’s families to live this life."

Bonus continues to advocate for safe driving practices, urging individuals to plan ahead, hand over their keys, or call for a ride instead of risking impaired driving.

State officials and advocates like Bonus agree that zero fatalities is the only acceptable goal. They stress that simple actions, such as buckling up or choosing not to drive impaired, can prevent future tragedies.