Even though the number of overall crashes fell slightly in 2023, the number of pedestrian and bike crashes went up.
According to the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center, crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists increased by 10%.
“It is encouraging to see a drop in the overall crash numbers yet concerning to note the surge in incidents involving our most vulnerable road users: pedestrians and bicyclists,” said Katie Bower, director of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP). “This underscores the urgent need for heightened awareness to ensure the safety of all roadway users.”
--> 29 stats about crashes, deaths, drivers on Michigan roads last year
Breaking down the data
- Pedestrian-involved crashes rose by 11%, with 2,114 crashes in 2023 and 1,897 in 2022.
- Pedestrian fatalities increased by 6%, with 183 deaths in 2023 and 173 in 2022.
- Bicycle-involved crashes increased by 10%, with 1,480 crashes in 2023 and 1,340 in 2022.
- Bicyclist fatalities fell by 33%, with 24 deaths in 2023 and 36 in 2022.
Michigan’s hands-free driving law
A law making it illegal to hold or use a cellphone will driving in Michigan took effect on June 30, 2023. For more than a year now, drivers in Michigan can get pulled over and ticketed if they are using their cellphone.
Bower said officials have seen a some positive impact from this law. “There were 305 fewer distracted-driver-involved crashes in 2023 (15,136) compared to 2022,” Bower said. “But there is still much work to do as we intensify efforts to educate all age groups about the dangers of distracted driving.”