Only one fatality was recorded on Jefferson County’s highways in 2016, according to the recently released Montana Highway Patrol annual report. That number is the lowest since 1996, according to the report, and well below the 5.8 annual average for the last ten years.
With two interstates passing through the county, and with two major cities just outside its borders, Jefferson County tends to have a higher fatality rate than many other similarly sized counties. Neighboring Broadwater County, for instance, averaged two fatalities per year over the last decade. Madison averaged 4.4, Deer Lodge 1.8, and Powell 3.1.
Statewide, the 190 highway fatalities was lower than every year in the past decade except 2010 with 189 deaths. The previous year, 2015, saw 224 fatalities. The decade’s average was 242.7. Although more crashes tend to occur between 4 and 5 p.m. and on Fridays, more fatal crashes occur between 3 and 4 p.m. and on Saturdays, says the report.
