Michigan Traffic Fatalities: A 10 Year and 20 Year Review

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., July 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Michigan State Police released a new report analyzing traffic crash fatalities from 2023. Our team at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm has compiled some of this data to observe interesting trends in the number of motor vehicle fatalities over the past 10 years and 20 years.

Michigan traffic deaths in 2023 totaled 1,095 according to data just released by the Michigan State Police. The primary cause of fatalities on Michigan roadways was alcohol, with 297 deaths related to alcohol consumption by motor vehicle operators. Drugs were the cause of 256 deaths. Buses and trucks caused 103 fatalities in 2023 as well.

The number of fatalities in 2013 totaled 951. Therefore, compared to 10 years ago, the number of motor vehicle fatalities increased more than 15%. This is a tragic number, especially when one considers the millions of dollars spent by the state of Michigan and other organizations on driver safety and driver accountability.

The following is a list of the change in the number of motor vehicle fatalities over the past decade in Michigan's largest counties.

            
              County           2023         2013 %
                                   Fatalities    Fatalities   Change


          
            Wayne                  201            164     22.6 %


         
            Oakland                  54             57     -5.3 %


          
            Macomb                  53             52      1.9 %


           
            Kent                   64             48     33.3 %


         
            Genesee                  59             30     96.7 %


        
            Washtenaw                 22             34    -35.3 %


          
            Ingham                  30             17     76.5 %


          
            Ottawa                  17             19    -10.5 %


        
            Kalamazoo                 44             36     22.2 %


         
            Saginaw                  21             21      0.0 %

15% DECREASE IN FATALITIES COMPARED TO 20 YEARS AGO

Although the number of fatalities increased in 2023 compared to 2013, it decreased quite dramatically from 2003. That year there were a reported 1,283 motor vehicle deaths on Michigan roadways. This marks close to a 15% decrease in fatalities compared to 20 years ago.

The following is a list of the number of motor vehicle fatalities in 2003, and the percent change in fatalities compared to 2023 in Michigan's largest counties.

                            County           2023         2003 %
                                       Fatalities    Fatalities   Change


           
              Wayne                   201            222     -9.5 %


          
              Oakland                   54             79    -31.6 %


           
              Macomb                   53             64    -17.2 %


            
              Kent                    64             76    -15.8 %


          
              Genesee                   59             52     13.5 %


         
              Washtenaw                  22             35    -37.1 %


           
              Ingham                   30             13    130.8 %


           
              Ottawa                   17             31    -45.2 %


         
              Kalamazoo                  44             28     57.1 %


          
              Saginaw                   21             26    -19.2 %

As one notices, almost every county had a large decrease in the number of fatalities, with the notable exception of Ingham County.

Although these numbers are just a flashpoint in time, the overall trend for motor vehicle deaths has been on a steady decline over the past 50 years. In 1969, Michigan had a record 2,490 vehicle related deaths. This means the state experienced a remarkable 56% decrease in fatalities.

There are multiple reasons for this decrease according to Michigan personal injury lawyer Eric Steinberg, a partner at the Lee Steinberg Law Firm and current President of the Michigan Association for Justice, the state's trial lawyers association. "There is so much more awareness of the dangers of drinking and driving compared to decades ago. Organizations like MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) had a profound impact. In addition, vehicle safety has improved immensely, with the required use of seat belts, air bags, anti-lock braking devices, and new rule regulations requiring lifesaving vehicle technologies."

The Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C. represents individuals injured due to the negligence of another person or corporation. For over 50 years, we have represented clients in a broad range of personal injury matters throughout Michigan. For more information, please contact Eric Steinberg at 1-800-533-3733.

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SOURCE Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C.