REPORT: TRAFFIC FATALITIES DOWN
Warren: City had the most deadly wrecks with 12 people in 11 accidents Uptick in incidents: Accidents see 2.1% rise in 2022 over 2021
After an alarming increase the year before, the number of traffic fatalities in Macomb County decreased in 2022 while the number of overall crashes grew by a small percentage.
According to preliminary 2022 statistics compiled by the Macomb County Traffic Safety Association, there were double-digit percentage decreases in fatal wrecks and the number of people killed, while the number of vehicular crashes rose only 2.1%
By comparison, 2021 finished with a 48.6% increase in the number of people who died in vehicle or motorcycle crashes on Macomb County roads and highways and a 25% jump in the total number of traffic crashes.
Traffic analysts believe the increases in 2021 were largely
attributed to a lifting of COVID-19 imposed restrictions and more people returning to in-person work and classrooms, along with a growing number of distracted drivers on the road.
Chris Drummy, executive director of the Traffic Safety Association, could not be reached for comment Monday, but in September told The Macomb Daily there is no rhyme or reason for the fluctuation of statistics.
“Traffic crashes are an unfortunate part of the driving environment that are almost completely preventable,” Drummy previously said.
The association reported 45 people died in 40 vehicle or motorcycle crashes last year on Macomb County roads and highways — an 18.2% decrease from 2021 when 55 were killed.
Although the report does not break down the crashes by
“Traffic crashes are an unfortunate part of the driving environment that are almost completely preventable.”
— Chris Drummy, executive director of the Traffic Safety Association
cause, traffic safety experts and investigators say many fatalities are likely linked to distractions drivers face on the road. Texting while driving along with alcohol use are the most common causes cited by safety officials.
Macomb County’s numbers are in line with trends being reported nationwide as the number of U.S. traffic deaths fell slightly in the first nine months of 2022, but pedestrian and cyclist deaths continued to rise, the government reported earlier this month.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
estimates 31,785 people were killed in crashes from January through September last year, down 0.2% from the same period of 2021. The agency also estimates that fatalities dropped slightly in the third quarter of the year, the second straight quarterly decline after seven quarters of yearover-year increases.
The trend looks to be holding up so far in 2023.
According to Michigan State Police, 14 people died on Michigan roadways since last week making a total of 34 this year. In addition, 51 more were seriously injured for a statewide total of 122 to date.
Compared to last year at this time there are 22 fewer fatalities and 44 fewer serious injuries.
In Macomb County, the total number of traffic crashes jumped 2.1% in the past year, from 21,839 in 2021 to 22,301 in 2022.
The number of injury wrecks grew 4.7% or 4,339 in 2021 compared to 4,541 last year. There also were 6,150 people injured in crashes last year, a 7.2% jump over 26.5% over the 5,739 in 2021.
Other highlights of the preliminary 2022 report include:
The report was compiled by the Fraser-based Macomb County Traffic Association in cooperation with local police agencies and Macomb County Department of Roads.