Highway department releases annual report

The 2018 Annual Report from the Montana Department of Transportation once again showed alarming statistics involving deaths related to drugs and alcohol.

In the report, Montana Highway Patrol Colonel Tom Butler said the 2018 data suggest "Driving Under the Influence" as a serious contributing circumstance in fatal crashes.

The report showed 182 fatalities statewide in 2018, with alcohol listed as a contributing circumstance in 72 of the fatal crashes. Drugs were listed as a factor in 70 of the fatal crashes. Reckless driving was reported as a contributing factor in 35 of the fatal crashes, ina...