Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, Great Falls, MT recorded 16 traffic deaths in 16 fatal crashes over the most recent five-year period — 5.3 deaths per 100,000 residents per year vs the US average of 12.3. Its Road Danger Score of 29/100 means a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 29% of ranked US cities (#3 of 6 in Montana, most dangerous first).
Road Danger Score
Traffic Deaths per 100K
Fatal Crashes (5-Yr Total)
How Dangerous Are the Roads in Great Falls, Montana?
Great Falls has a Road Danger Score of 29/100 (Safer Roads Than Most Cities). Over the most recent five-year period, federal crash data recorded 16 fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the city, killing 16 people — 5.3 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, below the national average of 12.3.
Great Falls ranks #3 out of 6 ranked cities in Montana and #1,534 out of 2,153 nationally for road danger (most dangerous first). The score is a percentile: a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 29% of ranked US cities.
The most distinctive factor in Great Falls's fatal crashes: speeding involved — 44% of fatal crashes, versus 28% nationally.
Traffic deaths in Great Falls fell 43% comparing the first two years of the period with the most recent two years.
What’s Behind Great Falls’s Fatal Crashes
Share of the city’s 16 fatal crashes where each factor was recorded. Factors overlap, so shares don’t sum to 100%.
| Crash Factor | Fatal Crashes | Great Falls | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking driver involved | 4 | 25.0% | 25.9% |
| Speeding involved | 7 | 43.8% | 28.2% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist involved | 3 | 18.8% | 22.5% |
| Dark / nighttime conditions | 6 | 37.5% | 49.8% |
Great Falls Traffic Deaths by Year
Annual traffic fatalities in Great Falls, Montana from NHTSA FARS. Single-year swings are normal in smaller cities; the Road Danger Score uses the full 5-year window.
| Year | Traffic Deaths |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2020 | 3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the car accident statistics for Great Falls, Montana?
According to NHTSA FARS data, Great Falls recorded 16 fatal car accidents over the most recent five-year period, resulting in 16 traffic deaths — an average of 3.2 deaths per year.
How dangerous are the roads in Great Falls?
Great Falls has a Road Danger Score of 29/100, meaning its traffic-fatality rate is higher than about 29% of ranked US cities. The city averages 5.3 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, compared to the US average of 12.3.
What causes fatal car accidents in Great Falls?
Of Great Falls's fatal crashes over the most recent five-year period, 25% involved a drinking driver, 44% involved speeding, 19% involved a pedestrian or cyclist, and 38% happened in dark conditions.
How many people die in car accidents in Great Falls each year?
An average of 3.2 people per year died in car accidents in Great Falls over the most recent five-year period (16 total), based on the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Is driving in Great Falls more dangerous than in other Montana cities?
Great Falls ranks #3 of 6 ranked Montana cities for road danger (most dangerous first) and #1,534 of 2,153 nationally.