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FLATHEADBEACON.COM NEWS JANUARY 29, 2014 | 11

Montana Receives Worst Rating for Highway Safety
Find

As fatalities rise,
which drew from 2012 crash data. Gillan, president of the AHAS.
national group releases There were 228 highway fatalities Gillan pointed out that progress has
in Montana in 2013, 23 more than 2012, been made to raise awareness and im- SAFETY
report card grading according to the inalized annual report plement safety laws aimed at reducing
from the Montana Highway Patrol, re-
traic deaths. For example, 25 years ago
states’ traic safety laws
leased Jan. 27.
only six states had a primary enforce-
Of last year’s deaths, 188 involved
ment seat belt law, which allows oicers
By DILLON TABISH of the Beacon
someone not wearing a seat belt, 21 more to pull over a driver for not wearing a
than the previous year, according to seat belt. Today 33 states have a primary
On the heels of one of its worst years
the state. Motorcyclists accounted for seat belt law covering front seat passen- and
in a decade involving highway fatalities, 34 deaths, four more than the previous gers.
Montana received a failing grade from year.
“The progress we have made in

a national nonproit group in its annual The Kalispell district, encompass- achieving a 26 percent fatality reduc-
report on highway safety laws.
ing Flathead, Lake and Lincoln coun- tion from 1989 shows that when states EVERY
Advocates for Highway and Auto ties, tied with the Billings district for the take action to enact and enforce optimal
Safety, an organization based in Wash- most fatalities in the state with 40.
traic safety laws, lives are saved, inju- SECURITY
ington D.C., last week released its 11th Montana fell into the lowest rank- ries are reduced, and costs to society are
annual report card grading all 50 states ing along with Alabama, Arizona, Flor- contained,” Gillan said.
on their traic laws. Montana was ida, Iowa, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Motorcycle rider deaths continues
among 11 states that rated as the worst Hampshire North and South Dakota and to climb to record numbers, according

in the U.S. for adopting “lifesaving” laws Wyoming.
to the AHAS. There were 10 times as
involving adult and child occupant pro- “It is time for state elected oicials to many unhelmeted motorcyclist fatali-
tection, impaired and distracted driving get in the driver’s seat and lead the way ties in states without all-rider helmet
and teen driving.
to safer roads,” said Joan Claybrook, laws than in states with those laws, ac- in banking with
The group scrutinized Montana for consumer co-chair of advocate group.
cording to the group.
not having a front and rear primary seat After six consecutive years of declin- “The tragic and life-altering con-
belt law, all-rider motorcycle helmet law, ing fatalities across the nation, traic sequences of motor vehicle crashes are a local bank

booster seat law, an ignition interlock deaths increased in 2012 by 3.3 percent.
predictable and preventable,” said Dr.
law and an all-driver text messaging re- “This alarming shift is a stark re- Georges Benjamin, executive director that knos you.
striction.
minder that states must continue to of the American Public Health Associa-
Montana and Arizona were tied for pass and enforce strong, comprehensive tion.
the lowest score in the latest report card,
highway safety laws,” said Jacqueline
[email protected]

Municipal Matters

A recap of recent news from City Hall

KALISPELL
park allowing for the eventual re- a Boot Barn, and preliminary draw-
moval of the existing railroad track ings have been submitted for a Ve-

• The Kalispell Fire Department re- and replacement with a pedestrian rizon cell phone outlet, according to
sponded to 3,058 calls for service and bike trail. These grants are ex- the building department.
for the calendar year, an increase of tremely competitive and will be an-
11 percent of overall call volume, ac- nounced in the spring. As we are WHITEFISH
looking at the Core Area Redevelop-
cording to City Manager Doug Rus- ment, said Russell, we are review-
sell.
ing complimentary programs on a •The City of Whitefish Parks and
Recreation Department is accept-
•The city council reviewed the 2013 community’s ability to create and
Impact Fees for Wastewater System preserve a sense of place through ing scholarship applications for
Report and the recommendation by housing, transportation choices, the 2014 Stumptown Summer Day
the Impact Fee Advisory Commit- urban green spaces, recreational Camp. “We have another great IDAHO STREET BANK
tee at a work session Jan. 27 after and cultural attractions, and poli- summer planned for your child, 233 E Idaho St.
the Beacon went to print. For more cies and incentives that promote one that creates a safe, supervised,
information on the report, visit ka- mixed-use neighborhoods.
and fun environment that fosters Kalispell, MT 59901
healthy, active lifestyles through 755-4271
lispell.com.
• The city of Kalispell’s utility bills daily physical activity and educa-
• The city is submitting an applica- can now be paid by phone. To make
a phone payment, call 1-866-636- tional/enrichment opportunities,”
tion to the U.S. EPA Brownfields said Maria Butts, recreation co-
program for Assessment Grant 3850, and have your utility billing ordinator for the parks and recre-
funding in the amount of $400,000, account number ready for the auto- ation department. Registration for
and closing Kalispell’s current mated payment system. Credit card the Stumptown Summer Day Camp MERIDIAN ROAD BANK
grant in the coming weeks as it has payments are also accepted for util- begins April 1. Space is limited,
conducted 13 Phase I and five Phase ity payments at City Hall and the and field trips as reserved on a first 552 N Meridian Rd.
II environmental site assessments website.
Kalispell, MT 59901
with the funding. City Manager come, first serve basis. The pro- 755-5432
•Commercial development review gram is staffed on a 1:8 staff-child
Doug Russell said the need for ad- continues in the Spring Prairie ratio. The camp will run from 7:30
ditional site assessment funds is Center next to Cabela’s with new a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, A Locally Owned,
supported by the goals of the Core from June 16-Aug. 15 at the White- Independent Community
Area Plan and the community in- building permit applications sub- fish Middle School.
Bank Since 1974
tent to build a new industrial rail
mitted for a Michael’s Craft Store,

www.ThreeRiversBankMontana.com
www.ThreeRiversBankMontana.com