Montana Highway Patrol 2010 Annual Report

NHTSA · 2010 · ROSA P / Montana. Highway Patrol Division

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Summary

The Montana Highway Patrol’s 2010 Annual Report documents statewide traffic safety statistics, enforcement activities, and legislative impacts on impaired driving. The report highlights a significant 14.5% decrease in traffic fatalities compared to the previous year, marking the third consecutive year of decline. This reduction was primarily driven by a 42.55% drop in alcohol-related fatalities, which the report attributes to legislative changes and targeted enforcement efforts. The document also acknowledges the tragic death of Trooper David DeLaittre during a traffic stop, underscoring the risks faced by law enforcement. The report compiles data from crash investigations conducted by the Montana Highway Patrol and other agencies across eight districts. It details enforcement metrics, including 85,089 citations and 160,716 warnings issued in 2010. A key component of the analysis is the Strategic Traffic Enforcement Team (STET), a specialized unit conducting saturation patrols on high-crash corridors. STET troopers logged 6,122 hours of enforcement, resulting in 54 DUI/drug arrests, 475 seat belt citations, and over 5,000 speeding citations. The report also outlines new legislative measures supported by the Patrol, such as the 24/7 Sobriety Program for repeat DUI offenders and the creation of an aggravated DUI offense for drivers with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.16 or higher. Key findings indicate that 189 fatalities occurred in 161 fatal crashes, with single-vehicle crashes accounting for 65.84% of all fatal incidents. Alcohol was present in 28.70% of drivers involved in fatal crashes, while drugs were present in 17.04%. Crashes were most frequent on Fridays and between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., whereas fatal crashes peaked on weekends and between 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Primary highways and U.S. Routes saw the highest number of fatal crashes. The data reveals that 78.9% of occupants used seat belts statewide, with usage rates varying by road type. Motorcycle crashes totaled 420, with 25 fatalities; helmet usage data indicates that 59% of motorcyclists involved in crashes wore helmets. The significance of these findings lies in the demonstrated correlation between targeted enforcement, legislative reform, and reduced fatality rates. The report concludes that Montana is making progress in addressing impaired driving, though it emphasizes that even one DUI fatality is unacceptable. The data supports continued investment in high-visibility patrols and strict DUI laws to further enhance public safety. The comprehensive statistical breakdown provides a baseline for future policy adjustments and resource allocation within the Montana Highway Patrol.

Key finding

Traffic fatalities in Montana decreased by 14.5 percent in 2010, driven primarily by a 42.55 percent reduction in alcohol-related deaths.

Methodology

dataset

Provenance

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Topics

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• incidence prevalence

Information type

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• Empirical Findings: crash risk outcomes