2009 Michigan Traffic Crash Facts

NHTSA · 2010 · ROSA P / Michigan. Office of Highway Safety Planning

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Summary

The 2009 Michigan Traffic Crash Facts report provides a comprehensive statistical analysis of traffic safety in Michigan for the calendar year 2009. Produced by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute using data from the Michigan Department of State Police, the document aims to document trends in crash frequency, severity, and contributing factors to support highway safety planning. The report highlights a significant positive trend, noting that 2009 recorded the fewest fatal traffic crashes in the state’s history, with 806 fatal crashes and 871 total fatalities. This decline is attributed to ongoing traffic records improvement projects initiated in 2002, which enhanced data quality through electronic collection, error checking, and improved location tracking. The methodology relies on data compiled from Michigan Traffic Crash Report Forms (UD-10) submitted by local police departments, sheriff’s offices, and the Department of State Police. Additional data sources include the Departments of Transportation, State, and Community Health. The report defines specific metrics, such as the death rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT), and categorizes crashes by injury severity (Fatal, Incapacitating, Non-incapacitating, Possible, or No injury). It also distinguishes between alcohol-involved crashes (defined by police or coroner reports of drinking prior to the crash) and drug-involved incidents. The analysis covers various demographics, including driver age, gender, and vehicle type, as well as environmental factors like weather, light conditions, and roadway characteristics. Key findings indicate a broad reduction in traffic incidents: total crashes decreased by 7.9 percent to 290,978, and injuries dropped by 4.9 percent to 70,931. The death rate per 100 million miles traveled reached a historic low of 0.91. This improvement coincided with a 5.0 percent decline in total miles traveled, alongside slight decreases in vehicle registrations and licensed drivers. Despite record-high seat belt usage, alcohol remained a critical issue, contributing to 34.4 percent of all fatal crashes. While alcohol-involved crashes constituted only 3.7 percent of all crashes, they resulted in injury or death in 41.6 percent of cases, compared to 18.2 percent for all crashes. The report also details specific risks for vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists, and analyzes crash circumstances such as red-light running and heavy truck involvement. The significance of this report lies in its documentation of sustained safety improvements and the identification of persistent risk factors. The data supports the efficacy of traffic records improvement initiatives and highlights the continued disproportionate impact of alcohol on fatal crashes. By providing detailed breakdowns of crash types, driver behaviors, and environmental conditions, the report serves as a foundational resource for policymakers and safety planners aiming to reduce fatalities and injuries. It underscores the need for continued focus on alcohol impairment and the importance of accurate, timely data collection in evaluating traffic safety interventions.

Key finding

In 2009, Michigan recorded 871 traffic fatalities, representing an 11.1 percent decrease from the previous year, with the death rate per 100 million miles traveled reaching a record low of 0.91.

Methodology

dataset

Provenance

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Topics

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

Information type

What kind of knowledge this paper contributes, grouped by family — independent of topic (what it is about) and method (how it was studied).

• Empirical Findings: crash risk outcomes, observational prevalence