Traffic Deaths On Southeast Michigan Roads Increase For Fifth Straight Year: 387 Fatalities In 2015
DETROIT (WWJ) - Authorities say deadly traffic crashes in southeastern Michigan have increased for the fifth consecutive year, with 387 fatalities occurring on the roads in 2015.
Analysis by SEMCOG, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, also shows that the number of total crashes – 138,710 – has increased for the third year in a row, resulting in 1,913 severe injuries to road users in southeast Michigan.
And things only seem to be getting worse. According to an MDOT sign along the freeway, 331 deaths have been reported across the state so far in 2016. That's up 50 percent from this time last year.
"To stem the needless loss of life in our region, we must take a broad approach to improving the safety of our transportation system and to making small but potentially life-saving changes to our personal behavior," Kathleen Lomako, Executive Director of SEMCOG, said in a statement.
Additional information from the analysis:
• Alcohol-involved traffic fatalities increased by more than 22 percent from 2014, as the 115 alcohol-involved fatalities represented nearly 30 percent of all fatalities in the region
• The 78 drug-involved fatalities which occurred in 2015 represent a 47 percent increase over the prior year and more than 20 percent of the region's fatalities
• Significant increases were also observed with respect to the 63 motorcyclist-related (34 percent) and 15 bicyclist (25 percent) fatalities as compared to 2014
• Traffic crashes involving pedestrians (1,308) also increased in 2015, including a 14 percent increase in fatalities
"While pedestrians are involved in only one percent of accidents, pedestrian crashes account for 28 percent of all traffic fatalities in Southeast Michigan. Nationwide, that number is 14 percent," said Lomako. "I encourage all travelers this Memorial Day weekend to follow safe driving practices; use a designated driver when drinking; and be on the lookout for motorcycles, bicyclists, and pedestrians."
Personal behavior is a major cause in traffic accidents. Below are some tips to avoid traffic crashes and reduce injuries:
• Always wear a safety belt
• Always wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle or bicycle
• Be safe. Be seen! Use lights and/or wear bright clothing when walking, cycling, or riding a motorcycle
• Obey all traffic laws
• Share the road safely – be courteous
• Don't tailgate – keep safe distances while driving
• Avoid distractions while driving, biking, and walking
• Reading, typing, or sending a text while driving is illegal in Michigan
A more detailed analysis will be available on SEMCOG's website in the coming months. Traffic crash data used in SEMCOG's analysis was received from the Michigan State Police's Criminal Justice Information Center.