Stay Safe in Your Summer Travels

As residents and visitors head out to explore Montana, MDT is urging travelers to remember the serious nature of driving and join the commitment to Vision Zero – zero deaths and zero serious injuries on Montana roadways.

Memorial Day to Labor Day is known as the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer” due to increased traffic deaths nationwide. At other times of the year, the nation often travels less – either by choice or limiting factors such as season or weather conditions, and travelers stay closer to home and use increased caution while driving. However, the summer months bring clear roadways and better weather, lowering drivers’ guards. Combined with an increase in traffic volumes due to summer travel, these conditions lead to increased crashes and deaths involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, ATVs, pedestrians, and bicycles.

As of May 31, 2022, 54 deaths have occurred on Montana roads, compared to 82 at the same time in 2021. While this is an encouraging reduction in fatalities, even one is unacceptable. The contributing factors of speed, not wearing a seat belt, and impaired driving, continue to lead to more lives lost on our roadways. Montanans need to do their part in staying safe, whether traveling across town or the state.

Higher summer traffic volumes can contribute to the severity of highway crashes, and drivers need to remember that crashes – including severe and fatal crashes – don’t just happen on the highway. When traveling in town, on unpaved roads, as well as on the highway, all drivers, riders, bicyclists, and pedestrians must take care to be safe along their journey. Drivers should always:

• Follow posted speed limits.

• Be rested and give full attention to driving.

• Keep their vehicle in safe running condition.

• Scan their travel area for safety hazards such as wildlife and debris. Expect the unexpected.

• Buckle up and drive sober.

• Share the road. Watch for motorcyclists, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

We all have at least one reason to reach our destination safely. The impact of losing just one person to a preventable motor vehicle crash is devasting for family, friends, and communities. If we all remember at least one reason to buckle up, watch our speed, arrange a sober ride, and drive distraction-free, we can all arrive safely at our destination. See MDT’s website on Vision Zero and One Reason: http://www.mdt.mt.gov/visionzero/onereason/default.aspx#sober

MDT is committed to safe engineering and maintaining Montana highways. For more information about Vision Zero, contact Janet Kenny at 444-7417 or jakenny@mt.gov.