The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning says the number of traffic crashes in the state was down last year.
Office Director Katie Bower tells us the 1,095 fatalities recorded in 2023 were slightly lower than the 1,123 deaths in 2022, a 2% decrease. The number of total crashes in 2023 was also down by 2% compared to the previous year.
Bower notes alcohol-related fatalities were down 8%, although drug-related fatalities were up 3%. That could reflect more people using marijuana.
Bower says the state’s new hands-free law appears to be having an effect.
“Good news on the distracted driving front,” Bower said. “We did see about 305 fewer distracted driving incidents in this last year, which is good news. Hopefully, the awareness surrounding distracted driving and the risky behaviors that that poses has been significant.”
After police noticed a jump in bad driver behavior during the pandemic, Bower says it looks like things are finally settling down. She attributes some of the COVID-era statistics to less public interaction with police.
“During the pandemic, law enforcement didn’t have the engagement with the public because of the restrictions with social distancing. So now that we are beyond the pandemic and the masking and the social distancing, law enforcement is back out engaging the public.”
One statistic from 2023 of note is that crashes involving pedestrians were up by 11%. Pedestrian deaths were also up 6%. Bicycle-related crashes were up 10%, although bicycle fatalities were down 33%.
Bower says the key to making the road safer will be for the public to be reminded of its responsibilities. She also asks parents to set a good example for their kids when behind the wheel.
The statistics released this week help police agencies across the state better plan their traffic enforcement programs.
