By Reader Staff
With the summer winding down, the Idaho Office of Highway Safety released its annual tally of crashes on statewide roads, recorded during the so-called “100 Deadliest Days,” which span from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
According to the most recent preliminary data from 2026, 90 people died in crashes throughout Idaho during the period when fatal crashes typically experience an increase — up from 88 in 2025.
However, even when accounting for the high-season summer rise in fatality crashes, overall traffic deaths are so far lower this year than last, with 150 recorded fatalities year-to-date compared to 174 at the same point in 2025.
Ada County, the state’s largest population center, with an estimated 557,000 people, recorded 13 fatality crashes during the 100 Deadliest Days. The next highest rate was in Bonneville County, located in eastern Idaho and with a population of nearly 123,000, with 10 crash deaths followed by Bonner County (population 54,400) coming in third with eight deadly crashes.
The next highest was Canyon County with seven, followed by Idaho and Kootenai counties, both with six fatalities.
The top contributing causes of fatal crashes included lack of seat belt use; failure to maintain lane and/or crossing the centerline; alcohol or drug impairment; inattentive driving; excessive speed; and failure to obey a stop sign, signal or yield sign.
“Every one of these deaths impact their families forever,” stated Idaho Highway Safety Manager Josephine Middleton. “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.”
The Office of Highway Safety’s efforts to reduce fatal and serious-injury crashes include statewide SHIFT Idaho safety campaigns to increase awareness of high-risk behaviors during the 100 Deadliest Days, expanding enforcement with local law enforcement, engaging with the community through outreach programs and safety resources, and infrastructure improvements designed to reduce crash severity and modernize the state’s roadways.
Visit Shift-Idaho.org to learn more.
