Montana Highway Fatalities Increase in 2026 for 100 Deadliest Days

As the Labor Day weekend and summer begin to hit our rearview mirrors and we look towards fall, the Montana Highway Patrol's "100 Deadliest Days" also comes to an end.  Those dates are in general terms from Memorial Weekend to Labor Day.

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New statistics from the MHP show that those numbers climbed for the summer of 2026, however, the overall numbers so far in the year have seen a slight decrease, which is a good thing heading into the winter holiday travel season.

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Montana Highway Fatalities Increase in 2026 for 100 Deadliest Days

New data released from the Montana Highway Patrol show that for those 100 days of the summer, Montana highways had an increase in fatalities of 22% compared to those same days in 2025.  The largest numbers came on secondary roads in the state, with a 23.53% increase in fatalities.

Mehmed Zelkovic

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However, those increases aren't the full scope of fatalities on Montana roads.  Yes, numbers were up for the 100 Deadliest Days, but overall and compared to the last two years, our roadways are becoming safer in 2026.

Overall Fatality Rate in Montana Down for 2026 By Large Amount

For comparison and using the selected dates of January 1st through September 8 with years 2024-2026, fatality rates have dropped an overall 16.31% in 2026 compared to the previous two years.  Even the crash rate has dropped for this year, to near 12% overall.

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Those statistics are encouraging on our roadways, but the Montana Highway Patrol still reminds those driving in Montana that they should continue to practice safe habits like buckling up, slowing down, driving sober and to always be alert behind the wheel.