Most Montana residents have by now heard multiple times from multiple sources that it is very dangerous to drive under the influence of alcohol and is also very dangerous to speed or ignore basic traffic laws.
Unfortunately, as a recent motor vehicle tragedy in the state shows, some drivers may choose for whatever reason simply to ignore or to minimize these warnings. They put their own lives and the lives of others in peril when they do so.
This recent motor vehicle accident involved 2 vehicles. According to police, one driver tried to pass another vehicle in a no passing zone. Usually, no passing zones are marked both by a solid yellow stripe in the center of the road as well as signage.
The vehicle wound up ramming head-on into another vehicle coming from the opposite direction. The impact was so significant that one of the vehicles caught fire afterward.
There were three occupants in the vehicle that got hit. One person was partially thrown from that vehicle. According to police, of the three occupants, 1 died and the other 2 suffered injuries. It was not clear how serious these injuries were. One of the people in this vehicle was only 15 years old.
There were two people in the vehicle that attempted to pass illegally. Both suffered injuries, and rescuers took them to a nearby hospital. Their conditions were unknown.
While police stopped short of announcing any arrests, they did say that they suspected drugs and alcohol had a role in the accident. They also cited speeding as a factor.
Breaking common traffic laws can cause lethal accidents
Nonetheless, there are many drivers in the Bozeman area who even if sober still choose to ignore both laws and basic safety when it comes to passing.
Improper or illegal passing is not just rude or a bad habit. It is extremely dangerous behavior that can cause serious injuries or even a death, even when traffic is traveling slower than highway speed.
Gallatin County drivers need to make sure they follow all traffic laws, including laws related to proper passing. If they do not, and they cause an accident as a result, they may be held legally accountable to pay compensation to their victims.