Report: Traffic fatalities rose in SE Michigan in 2024. Here’s why

By Max Reinhart, MediaNews Group

The general variety of car crashes in southeastern Michigan fell via 2024 at the same time as deadly crashes elevated, newly launched knowledge exhibits.

The statistics, compiled by the Southeast Michigan Council of Authorities (SEMCOG), point out a necessity for extra consideration to main contributing elements corresponding to lane departure, poor driver conduct and problematic intersections, SEMCOG officers mentioned.

“The general decline in crashes and the continued decline in fatalities ensuing from rushing symbolize a significant victory for security in Southeast Michigan,” mentioned Amy O’Leary, SEMCOG Govt Director. “These wins mirror the dedication of our native, regional, state and federal companions who work day by day to make our roads safer.

“But the persistence of very critical accidents reminds us that our work is much from performed. Collectively, we stay dedicated to advancing and supporting a transportation system the place no lack of life is suitable,” O’Leary mentioned.

In response to SEMCOGs Quick fact reportFinal yr there have been a complete of 129,583 accidents within the group’s seven-province space. It is a lower of 1.4% in comparison with the 131,448 accidents in 2023 and beneath the ten-year common of 133,511 accidents per yr. It additionally marked the primary decline within the area’s whole variety of accidents since 2020.

Nevertheless, in keeping with SEMCOG’s findings, there have been 402 fatalities on Southeast Michigan roadways final yr, 14 greater than in 2023 and the fifth-highest annual whole up to now decade.

The info additionally exhibits that whereas the variety of critical accidents ensuing from accidents fell by 3% in 2024 (2,211 in comparison with 2,276 in 2023), this determine is the third highest up to now decade.

In analyzing knowledge on contributing elements, SEMCOG recognized lane departures, poor driving and intersection intersections because the main causes of deadly and critically injured crashes.

Final yr, there have been 723 collisions leading to dying or critical damage through which lane departure was an element. About 39% of deadly crashes and 26% of great damage crashes in southeast Michigan in 2024 concerned drivers drifting from their marked lane.

The variety of crashes involving drivers fell general in 2024, reaching a ten-year low of three,918. Nevertheless, SEMCOG reported that impairment remains to be one of many main elements in visitors fatalities, accounting for 36% of visitors fatalities.

The group reported that there have been 397 critical accidents and 145 fatalities resulting from driver impairment final yr, which represents a slight improve from 2023 (395 accidents and 141 deaths).

The variety of critical crashes at intersections in southeastern Michigan will improve considerably by 2024, the report exhibits. There have been 125 deaths in car crashes at intersections (31% of all visitors fatalities), marking the primary improve in intersection fatalities since 2020, SEMCOG knowledge exhibits. There have been additionally 912 critical accidents in intersection accidents (41% of all such accidents), which is the best quantity in a decade.

SEMCOG knowledge exhibits that essentially the most harmful intersections in southeastern Michigan final yr had been Drahner and Lapeer roads in Oxford Township, in addition to Metropolitan Parkway and Utica Highway in Clinton Township. Seven deadly or critically injured accidents occurred at each areas.

There was just one such crash at Greenfield and Plymouth roads in Detroit, however in keeping with SEMCOG, that intersection nonetheless has the best variety of damage/deadly crashes up to now 5 years (2.8 per yr).

Different notable findings from the SEMCOG report:

• 2024 was a very lethal yr for motorcyclists with 71 fatalities, a 25% improve from 57 in 2024 and the best whole since 2015.
• The entire variety of crashes involving pedestrians fell from 1,216 in 2023 to 1,180 in 2024, the primary decline in that statistic in 4 years. About 78 pedestrians had been killed in crashes in southeastern Michigan final yr, up from 97 in 2023 and the second-lowest quantity up to now decade.
• For the third yr in a row, rushing as a consider deadly and critically injured crashes has decreased. There have been 392 such accidents in 2021, 365 in 2022, 322 in 2021 and 300 in 2024.
• The variety of crashes involving cyclists has risen for the third yr in a row (875 in whole in 2024), however the variety of bicycle owner fatalities (seven) has fallen to the bottom determine since 2021.

mreinhart@detroitnews.com