Montana’s Road Safety Crisis: The Heart of the Problem

BUTTE, MT - It's a situation many of us are familiar with: someone we know and love has tragically perished over the night due to a road accident that no one could see coming.

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Or could it have been prevented?

Montana ranks as the third-highest state in the U.S. for road accident fatalities, with many of these accidents involving individuals who were not wearing seat belts. As anyone living in Montana knows, this is not a shock, as seat belt usage has been a topic of debate here in the Treasure State for as long as they've been around for.

But with the state's new designation, many are wondering if it's time for a change in our state's vehicle protection stance.

Montana’s Road Accident Statistics

Montana's road safety record paints a concerning picture.

In 2015, the state ranked third for traffic fatalities per capita and second for deaths per vehicle miles traveled. Despite this, seat belt usage remains relatively low, with 76% of Montanans buckling up—compared to a national average of around 90%. Many of these fatalities could be prevented by seat belt use, which reduces the risk of death in crashes by 45% and serious injury by 50%, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The Seat Belt Debate

Montana’s split on seat belt laws reflects a deeper cultural value: personal freedom. A 2017 survey by the University of Montana’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research revealed that 54.5% of Montanans support primary seat belt laws, which would allow officers to stop vehicles solely for not wearing a seat belt.

However, 45.5% oppose such a law, citing concerns over individual rights and government overreach.

Interestingly, while the majority of Montanans believe a primary seat belt law would save lives (66.9%), this belief does not always translate to support for stricter regulations.

Many value personal choice over mandatory measures, despite the proven safety benefits of seat belt usage.

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Primary vs. Secondary Enforcement

Currently, Montana enforces a secondary seat belt law, meaning drivers can only be cited for not wearing a seat belt if stopped for another offense. States with primary seat belt enforcement see much higher compliance rates, around 90%, while secondary law states like Montana often lag behind.

While Montana has attempted to pass primary seat belt laws in the past, including House Bill 109 in 2019, these efforts have not succeeded, partly due to strong opposition from those who prioritize individual rights over mandated safety measures.

Is Change Coming?

Montana’s high road accident rate, paired with low seat belt use, underscores the importance of seat belt safety. While the debate over personal freedom versus safety rages on, many will continue to wonder if the law would help improve our title of 3rd deadliest state for road accidents.