A decrease in Michigan traffic deaths

Traffic deaths in Michigan fell 8 percent in 2014. According to just-released information from the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center, traffic deaths last year fell below 900 for the first time since 2011, from 951 in 2013 to 876 in 2014. Michael Prince, director of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning, says while overall crashes increased 3 percent, there is some very good news in the 2014 crash data for Michigan. Alcohol-involved crash fatalities dropped 17 percent, from 284 in 2013 to 236 in 2014. Drug-involved traffic deaths were down 9 percent, from 165 in 2013 to 150 in 2014. Large declines were also noted in motorcyclist and bicyclist fatalities. Motorcycle fatalities were down 16 percent, from 128 in 2013 to 107 in 2014. Bicycle fatalities were down 22 percent, from 27 in 2013 to 21 in 2014. Officials say, however, that despite declines in many areas, commercial motor vehicle-involved fatalities increased for the third year in a row, up 12 percent, from 94 in 2013 to 105 in 2014.  (MRN)