Greater Gallatin Safety Coalition

The Greater Gallatin Safety Coalition is dedicated to preventing injury and death caused by traffic crashes, drowning, bicycle accidents, and severe burns.

Child Care Connections is the lead agency for the Greater Gallatin Safety Coalition. Meeting are held bi-monthly at Child Care Connections. Please call 587-7786 for more information regarding the coaltion meetings.

Partners: Bozeman Fire Department, Bozeman Police Department, Bozeman Public Schools, Gallatin City County Health Department, Gallatin Community Clinic, Central Valley Fire District, Alpha Graphics, Gallatin County DUI Task Force, Town Square Media, Montana Highway Patrol, Gallatin County Sheriff’s Department, Bozeman Deaconess Hospital, American Medical Response, Ressler Motors, The Billion Auto Group, Livingston Fire and Rescue, and Collin's Coalition.

The mission of Safe Kids Worldwide is to prevent accidental injury.

Coalition: Safe Kids Gallatin County is one of more than 300 grassroots coalitions in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico that bring together health and safety experts, educators, corporations, foundations, governments and volunteers to educate and protect families. SKSC is a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations dedicated to preventing accidental injury. We know our efforts are needed because as many as 90 percent of accidental injuries can be prevented.

Montana Buckle Up Laws

Applicable to all motor vehicles except motorcycles. Driver is cited.

Small Children: Children under 6 years and under 60 pounds must be properly buckled up in a child restraint (child safety seat, booster, harness or car bed) that meets federal standards. For information on choosing the correct child safety seat for your child please click on the link below:
Car Seat Recommendations: Choosing the Right Seat

Older Children, Adults: All other occupants must be properly buckled up in a safety belt. Safety belts in all seating positions must be in good working condition.

Gallatin County Crash Statistics

Impaired Driving Facts:

From 2004—2006, Gallatin county had 13 fatalities and 459 alcohol and drug related crashes (MDT Traffic Crash Summaries)
Gallatin County ranks 7th in the state for alcohol related fatalities per 100,000 population—6.39 (NHTSA)
8.1% of total crashes in Gallatin Canyon in 2006 were alcohol-related (MDT Traffic Crash Summaries)
Alcohol was present in 37.5%of fatal crashes in 2006 (MDT Traffic Crash Summaries)
Economic loss from driver impairment in MT crashes was over $193 million during 2006.

Occupant Protection Facts:

Number of Vehicle Crashes: 1976
Number of Injuries: 655
Number of Incapacitating Injuries: 75
Number of Fatalities: 22
Percentage of Alcohol-related Fatal Crashes: 37.5%
Percentage of Fatalities NOT Wearing Seat Belts: 36%
The majority of crashes involve a single vehicle during daylight hours on clear, dry, straight roads.

(Source: MDT Traffic Crash Summaries)

Child Safety Seat Clinics & Fitting Stations

Check out the latest child passenger safety recommendations by clicking on the link below:

Vehicle Passenger Safety From Birth to Age 12

Clinics are offered the 2nd & 4th Thursday of each month at Bozeman Fire Station 1 at 34 North Rouse from 12 am to 2 pm. Contact Camille at 582-2350 for more information.

Clinics are offered the 3rd Friday of each month at Livingston Fire Rescue at 414 East Callendar from 11 am to 2 pm. Contact Jessi at 223-1991 for more information.

Our coalition has 3 fitting stations in Gallatin and Park County. To set up an appointment, call a Child Passenger Safety Technician listed below OR send an email to gallatinsafekids@gmail.com.

Jessi Malcolm 587-7786 or 223-1991
@ Child Care Connections in Bozeman and Livingston Fire & Rescue
Scott Mueller 582-2350
@ Bozeman Fire Department
Jason Wheeler 388-4480
@ Central Valley Fire in Belgrade

BE PREPARED!

Read the vehicle & car seat manual prior to your appointment. Bring the manuals to your appointment.

* Please note that due to the nature of our schedules, we are unable to accommodate parents & caregivers without an appointment. Thank you for your understanding.

Montana Safety Belt Information

Fast Facts

Observed safety belt usage in Montana was 79.6% (June 2007)
During 2006, 219 vehicle occupants died in motor vehicle crashes alone.
The majority of those (71%) were not wearing safety belts.
Of the 219 occupant fatalities during 2006, 113 were either totally or partially ejected (approximately 50%).

Economic Impacts

Every Montanan pays about $670 a year toward the cost of vehicle crashes. That is $2,680 for a family of four. This includes uncompensated insurance costs and hospital bills. (source: Nat. Highway Traffic Safety Administration)
61% of all spinal cord injuries in Montana resulted from motor vehicle crashes. (source: MT Dept. of Public Health and Human Services, 2005 Data)
Average hospital charge from someone injured in a vehicle who is buckled at the time of the crash is $20,709 and $48,692 for someone who is not buckled. (Source: 2005 data from two Billings hospitals)

Belt Usage by Vehicle Type

Safety belt usage is much lower in pickups: about 63%.
Over 83% of people killed in pick-up crashes were not buckled.
Pick-ups and SUVs have a higher incidence of rollovers, where the possibility of being ejected increases.

Belts vs. Alcohol

18% of alcohol-related fatalities were wearing safety belts.
38% of non-alcohol-related fatalities were wearing belts