Montana Highway 212 continues to claim victims

Once again, and probably to no avail, I write about one of the most dangerous stretch of highways in Montana – the 70 mile run on Montana State 212 Highway that crosses both the Northern Cheyenne and Crow Reservations. Not sure where it starts, but it is Belle Fourche at state-line ending at Crow Agency, MT, bisecting Interstate 1-90.Then, It picks up from Laurel to Red Lodge, an equally dangers stretch of highway with similar vehicle collision rates. (U.S. Highway 212 begins at the Northeast Entrance of Yellowstone National Park and ends in Edina, Minnesota, passing through both the Northern Cheyenne Reservation and the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation along the way.)

Residents do not need reminding about the dangers of that route. However, those who may use it, as travelers from South Dakota coming to Montana destinations such as Crow Fair, Billings or even Yellowstone Park need to be aware of this perilous stretch of road and exercise utmost caution when traveling it. Overall, Highway 212 is an outdated two-lane Highway which is not designed for the volume of today’s traffic.

The primary danger is posed by semi-trucks, drivers have discovered that the two-lane is a shortcut to other destinations, shaving off a few hundred miles as opposed to staying on Interstate 90.In addition, that road is located in a “no-man’s” land when it comes to law enforcement jurisdiction. After leaving Ashland where the local Sheriff and Deputies very diligently enforce a 25-mph speed limit, it is rare to sight a police vehicle on 212. If so, it might be a Bureau of Indian Affairs vehicle, probably transporting prisoners from Lame Deer to Crow. Sometimes, those vehicles do park along the road, but due to jurisdictional problems, rarely stop speeding truckers. Neither do county officers and it is a rare thing to spot a Montana Highway Patrol car in the area. They do have jurisdiction, but being short-handed, rarely venture to that patch of roadway unless (or should we say until) there is a fatality.

According to the most recent MT State count, an average of 700 truckers a day traverse the miles in question. They often traverse it very quickly, saving more time; travel in conveys; and are quite rude with tailgating and passing in dubious areas. When it is snowing, a flurry of snow temporarily blinds the oncoming driver. Lyman Morin, an elderly Ashland resident commented, “When they line up behind me, I pull off the road.” Other Ashland residents who are employed in Lame Deer opt for the Tribal Transit System, a much safer mode of travel. In addition, local drivers often go too fast, passing when there is not enough room or clear view. Everyone seems to be in a great hurry, and a moderate driver, such as myself who goes about 55 mph on that road is often tailgated or treated to a nasty honk or finger sign.

The crossing of Northern Cheyenne between Lame Deer and Ashland is particularly perilous, especially in winter. It is then necessary to cross the “divide” where vehicles commonly run off the road due to icy conditions. A few years back for example, two young women driving from Lame Deer to work at the St. Labre Mission lost control on the ice and literally slid under an oncoming semi, both killed. Ironically and horribly, the Big Horn County Sheriff, Darrel King, a Northern Cheyenne was the victim of a semi-head on 212 between Crow and Busby last year.

The death toll on Highway 212 is among one of the highest in the State of Montana. On a regular basis, semis collide with other vehicles, usually resulting in fatalities for drivers of smaller vehicles. The majority are caused by semis, drunken driving or speeders. For example, on Sunday, January 25, a semi ran into an oncoming vehicle in an area called “the flats” where visibility is good. It is winter, but the road crews had done a good job of clearing the road, thus ice was not a factor. The truck driver sustained minor injuries, while the other out-of-area driver was killed, parts of the cars scattered along the Highway for a quarter-mile or so. Of course, the road was closed while cleanup and ambulance crews attended to the matter. Otherwise, no official information has been made available as this is penned. The victim has been identified as Jace Brady, Northern Cheyenne teenager from Lame Deer.

According to the Montana Highway Patrol website, 1,324 vehicle accidents occurred in 2025 on Highway 212. That includes the route from Laurel to Red Lodge, a very high traffic area due to proximity to Yellowstone Park. Similar problems occur there, though there is not as much truck traffic.

Rosebud and Big Horn Counties have been quite concerned about this, as have both tribal governments. Two years ago, the Southeastern Montana Development Corporation, Colstrip secured several hundred thousand in grant funds to study the problem and develop recommendations. The community participated and even heard from the Head of the Montana Highway Patrol, who made promises. The Tribal governments made a little noise about cross jurisdictional deputizing, but that, as usual didn’t get past the talking stage. It should be possible to work out a cross jurisdiction agreement which would apply only to traffic offenses on Highway 212, but that notion has not yet occurred to Tribal officials. Tribal members also worry that cross-jurisdiction would lead to other things such as drivers’ licenses, insurance, vehicle safety (meaning required windshields, lights and turn signals). We can accommodate those requirements in order to go to Billings, but don’t want to be compelled to do that on the Reservation. Tribal elected officials have found that to be a very unpopular matter which could lead to not getting re-elected.

Rosebud County Commissioner Joiner who represents Lame Deer has concluded that without cross-deputizing, the situation cannot be effectively be addressed. Thus, the end, it turned out to be just another study. If anything has been done to improve the situation, it is not noticeable from a driver’s point of view and there has been no follow-up news, although a final report is probably gathering dust somewhere.

Thus, dear readers, should you find yourself on the “Highway of Death” described herein, please exercise utmost caution. Apparently, we have to live with the situation and hopefully will not be one of victims who dies from it.

(Contact Clara Caufield at acheyennereview@gmail.com)

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