Traffic deaths dip in Michigan, nationally but remain above pre-COVID levels

Washington — Traffic deaths fell 7.5% last year in Michigan, mirroring a smaller decline nationwide, according to data released Monday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Deaths nationally were down 3.6%, despite a 2.1% increase in vehicle miles, but remain significantly above pre-pandemic levels. Nearly 41,000 people were killed in vehicle crashes last year, including 1,040 in Michigan.

"We have more work to do to change the culture of traffic safety," said Katie Bower, director of Michigan's Office of Highway Safety Planning. "Traffic safety is a public-health issue and we need to raise public concern regarding how to drive safely our roads." 

Nationally, there were 1,524 fewer traffic deaths in 2023 than the year prior. However, traffic deaths were still 12.7% higher than in 2019, according to the NHTSA data. In Michigan, deaths in 2023 were 5.5% higher than 2019 levels.

The data paint an improving but still grim picture as distracted driving and other risky behaviors continue to endanger drivers, passengers and pedestrians nationwide. Federal and state efforts like handheld phone bans and stepped-up speeding enforcement are underway to help rein in those behaviors but have not fully solved the problem.

Bower, whose office is part of the Michigan State Police, said traffic enforcement was an important factor in Michigan's traffic fatality decline.

"As we get back to normal, post-pandemic, law enforcement has been able to return to more directed traffic enforcement. More law enforcement on the roads is a known countermeasure strategy to help deter risky driving behaviors."

She also noted efforts by MSP to raise awareness and educate the public about traffic safety issues.

Timothy Gates, a civil engineering professor and traffic safety expert at Michigan State University, said the decline in traffic deaths in Michigan and nationally is probably because of continuing returns to pre-pandemic road conditions.

The pandemic reduced congestion on roads and led to more speeding, he said. Gates suggested that deaths decreased last year, in part, because of traffic congestion getting closer to pre-pandemic levels and vehicle speeds coming down.

Transportation safety researchers will have greater insight into crash causes and trends once NHTSA releases further 2023 data.

Gates added that Michigan's new distracted driving law is probably playing a role, too.

NHTSA released its new data in conjunction with a press conference to kick off national Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

"Our research shows people are continuing to use phones behind the wheel for more than just texting. They're using apps and social media and even watching and recording videos," said NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman during the Monday press conference. "All of these behaviors are dangerous and deadly.”

NHTSA data suggest that distraction-affected crashes are responsible for 8% of all traffic fatalities. That percentage has remained steady since 2018, though officials have said the actual number is likely higher because it is often difficult to determine whether distraction was a factor in a crash.

“Any activity that takes your eyes off the road and your hands off the wheel is extremely reckless and puts you and other roadway users at risk,” Bower said.

Michigan has tried to combat distracted driving through a law passed last summer that bans handheld cellphone use while driving and adds penalties that increase in severity with repeat offenses. To mark Distracted Driving Awareness Month, state police will boost enforcement of the law in April.

“In an effort to encourage safer driving behaviors, officers will be stepping up enforcement and ticketing anyone who is caught texting or committing other hands-free law violations while driving," Bower said in a press release.

Speakers at the NHTSA press conference highlighted the tragic and avoidable consequences of distracted driving.

Robert McCullough, Baltimore County police chief, warned Americans about the dangers of distracted driving during remarks at the press conference.

"Sending or reading a text message can take your eyes off the road for as little as five seconds," said Robert McCullough, Baltimore County police chief. "At 55 miles per hour, that's like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed."

"Put down the phone. The life you save might be your own," McCullough added.

Joel Feldman, a Pennsylvania man who lost his daughter Casey to a distracted-driving crash, urged motorists to stop taking unnecessary risks. Casey was killed in 2009 by a driver who ran a stop sign while trying to check his GPS, Feldman said.

"Let's talk a little bit about the excuses that we all use," Feldman added. "Just a few seconds. I'm a safe driver. I can handle it. I've never been in a crash. I'm a great multitasker. I was only changing the music. It was an important text or call."

"I know grieving families whose loved ones have been killed by those excuses. And they will never be better."

gschwab@detroitnews.com

@GrantSchwab