DETROIT-Traffic fatalities were on the rise last year, according to an annual report by the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments. The report breaks down the number of crashes that occurred in the region, in addition to the cause factors, fatalities, injuries, and more. The data is then compared to traffic crash data over the past 10 years.
The findings show that crash rates in the region are once again on the rise, following a 10 year low in 2020, which was mostly a result of the pandemic. In 2020 there was 105,485 reported crashes. That number rose to 124,631 in 2021 and to 128,821 in 2022.
Despite having fewer crashes in 2020, that year still leads with the most on the traffic fatalities. The data shows that despite having fewer drivers, there were far more reckless ones than usual.
2019 had a total of 364 traffic fatalities on the road. 2020 saw a spike in deaths, reaching 452. In 2021, deaths declined somewhat to 426. But in 2022, they were once again on the rise, reaching 450.
Bikers were far more likely to be involved in a fatal accident than any other types of drivers. While motorcycles were only involved in 1% of crashes reported in 2022, those crashes “accounted for 14% of all fatalities” in Southeast Michigan.
Alcohol and drugs also continued to be a major factor behind crash-related fatalities in 2022, though the number of impaired crashes decreased 5% last year. There were 4,331 traffic crashes involving an impaired driver in 2022, down from 4,550 in 2021.
Some good news that came out of the report was that Intersection traffic crashes were down in 2022, with 40,316 crashes reported compared to the 41,109 total from 2021.
Top 5 Metro Detroit intersections with the most traffic crashes in 2022:
- Warren: Van Dyke Avenue at eastbound 11 Mile Road. Number of crashes in 2022: 109.
- Ann Arbor: State Street South at Ellsworth Road West. Number of crashes in 2022: 96.
- Commerce Township: North M-5 (Pontiac Trail N) at Martin Parkway. Number of crashes in 2022: 84.
- Sterling Heights: 18 1/2 Mile Road at South M-53/Van Dyke ramp. Number of crashes in 2022: 79.
- Lincoln Park: Southfield Road at Dix Highway. Number of crashes in 2022: 79.
Top 10 Metro Detroit intersections that saw the most traffic crashes on average between 2018-2022:
- Farmington Hills: 14 Mile Road West at Orchard Lake Road. Average number of yearly crashes 2018-2022: 114. Number of crashes in 2022: 65.
- Sterling Heights: 18 1/2 Mile Road at South M-53/Van Dyke ramp. Average number of yearly crashes 2018-2022: 112.8. Number of crashes in 2022: 79.
- Ann Arbor: State Street South at West Ellsworth Road. Average number of yearly crashes 2018-2022: 99.6. Number of crashes in 2022: 96.
- Commerce Township: North M-5 (Pontiac Trail) at Martin Parkway. Average number of yearly crashes 2018-2022: 97.8. Number of crashes in 2022: 84.
- Utica: Van Dyke Avenue at East M-59. Average number of yearly crashes 2018-2022: 73. Number of crashes in 2022: 78.
- Lincoln Park: Southfield Road at Dix Highway. Average number of yearly crashes 2018-2022: 71.8. Number of crashes in 2022: 79.
- Warren: Van Dyke Avenue at eastbound 11 Mile Road. Average number of yearly crashes 2018-2022: 71.6. Number of crashes in 2022: 109.
- Southfield: Telegraph Road at West 12 Mile Road. Average number of yearly crashes 2018-2022: 67.6. Number of crashes in 2022: 72.
- Canton Township: Ford Road at North Lilley Road. Average number of yearly crashes 2018-2022: 62.2. Number of crashes in 2022: 58.
- Canton Township: Ford Road at North Haggerty Road. Average number of yearly crashes 2018-2022: 60.8. Number of crashes in 2022: 59.
At Traffic Court Buddy, we believe that every individual should have access to legal representation for any traffic-related charges. From tickets to forfeiture of vehicles, we make it our mission to help provide all the facts to help ensure you receive the minimum possible penalties for any alleged infraction. If you need traffic court representation, reach out today!