2004 Michigan Traffic Crash Facts

NHTSA · 2005 · ROSA P / Michigan. Office of Highway Safety Planning

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Summary

This document presents a comprehensive statistical analysis of traffic crashes in Michigan for the calendar year 2004, produced by the Michigan Department of State Police and the Office of Highway Safety Planning. The report aims to provide accurate data on crash frequencies, fatalities, injuries, and contributing factors to support highway safety initiatives. The data collection benefited from a multi-year project funded by federal grants, which improved data quality through electronic collection, enhanced error checking, and modernized infrastructure. Notably, the property damage reporting threshold increased from $400 to $1,000 on January 1, 2004, though the report notes no conclusive evidence that this change significantly reduced crash reporting rates. The study utilizes data from 2004 Michigan Traffic Crash Report Forms (UD-10) submitted by local police departments, sheriffs, and the State Police, supplemented by information from the Departments of Transportation, State, and Community Health. The analysis covers exposure factors such as licensed drivers, vehicle miles traveled (VMT), and motor vehicle registrations. In 2004, Michigan had 7.2 million licensed drivers (a 0.5% increase) and 101.8 billion VMT (a 1.6% increase), while motor vehicle registrations decreased by 1.5% to 8.6 million. The report categorizes crashes by severity, type, and involvement of specific road users, including drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and heavy trucks. It also examines demographic variables such as driver age and gender, as well as hazardous actions like excessive speed and alcohol or drug use. Key findings indicate a significant improvement in traffic safety outcomes compared to 2003. There were 1,159 fatalities in 2004, a 9.7% decrease from the 1,283 deaths recorded in 2003. The death rate dropped to 1.1 per 100 million miles of travel, a 15.4% reduction from the previous year. Total reported crashes decreased by 4.7% to 373,028, and injuries fell by 5.6% to 99,680. Alcohol remained a critical factor in serious crashes; while only 3.9% of all crashes involved drinking, 42.0% of alcohol-related crashes resulted in injury or death, and 32.0% of fatal crashes involved drinking. Additionally, 36.5% of fatal crashes involved at least one drinking or drugged operator. Single-vehicle crashes accounted for 47.5% of all fatal crashes, with excessive speed identified as a hazardous action in 12.4% of fatal incidents. Young drivers were disproportionately represented in fatal crashes, with 23.8% of drivers involved in fatal crashes being under 25 years of age. The significance of this report lies in its detailed documentation of trends that inform public safety policy and resource allocation. The decline in fatalities and injury rates, despite increases in driver exposure and mileage, suggests positive impacts from safety interventions or data improvements. The persistent link between alcohol consumption and severe crashes underscores the continued need for targeted enforcement and education programs. By providing granular data on crash circumstances, such as intersection involvement, roadway conditions, and specific hazardous actions, the report offers a robust evidence base for evaluating the effectiveness of traffic safety measures and identifying areas requiring further attention in Michigan’s highway system.

Key finding

Michigan recorded 1,159 traffic fatalities in 2004, representing a 9.7 percent decrease from 2003, with a resulting death rate of 1.1 per 100 million miles of travel.

Methodology

dataset

Provenance

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Topics

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• incidence prevalence
• fatality injury trends
• demographic disparities
• comparative international
• crash typology

Information type

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• Empirical Findings: crash risk outcomes