Idaho sees slight increase in fatalities during 100 deadliest days
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IDAHO FALLS — The number of fatalities slightly increased in the last year during the “100 Deadliest Days,” and the Idaho Transportation Department is reminding the public how to stay safe on the roads year-round.
According to a news release from the Idaho Office of Highway Safety, 90 people were killed in crashes on Idaho roads during the 2026 100 Deadliest Days, the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day when serious and fatal crashes historically rise.
This is a slight increase over the 88 fatalities in 2025.
“One of the things that makes the 100 deadliest days noteworthy is that there are more people out on the road, but also the fact that it gives us the chance for everyone to take a pause and try to do better,” says Sky Buffat, the spokeswoman for the Idaho Department of Transportation.
Buffat says it’s important to limit distractions while driving, as it is a very likely cause of a car crash.
“The fact that our summers are short in Idaho, it’s our chance to get out and enjoy our beautiful state,” says Buffat. “It’s a pretty narrow window around here, so by nature, there’s just more cars on the road because everyone’s trying to get to where they’re going to do the things they can only do during the summer.
In eastern Idaho, the numbers show that Bonneville County saw the most fatalities by far during that time period, with 10 deaths on the road.
Bannock had one fatality, Bear Lake and Bingham reported two, and Custer and Twin Falls both saw three deaths on the road, according to the data in the release.
Even though fatalities increased this summer, the overall fatalities for the year have decreased compared to last year.
According to the release, Idaho has had 150 fatalities this year, compared to 174 at this point in 2025.
The most contributing factors to these crashes include:
- Not wearing a seat belt
- Failure to maintain the lane
- Alcohol impairment
- Drug impairment
- Inattentive driving
- Crossing the centerline
- Speed
- Failure to obey a stop sign, signal, or yield
“Every one of these deaths impacts their families forever,” says Josephine Middleton, the Highway Safety Manager for the Idaho Office of Highway Safety. “We can save lives and prevent serious injuries by consistently choosing safety first. Buckle up, stay focused, drive sober, and slow down. Our aim is to keep Idaho families intact.”
Buffat says it’s important to check the road conditions before venturing out on a trip, especially in the upcoming colder months, as we begin to see snow and ice.
“I say very frequently, when winter approaches, that ice and snow change everything,” says Buffat. “The number one thing we say in the winter, we share this at all of our winter driving classes, and anytime we talk about it, is just to slow down. Your cruise control might as well be out of commission when it comes to safe winter driving.”