MARQUETTE — The number of overall traffic crashes and fatalities on Michigan roadways rose slightly in 2024, according to recently released data from the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center.

In 2024, the total number of crashes, 288,880, was 927 higher than in 2023. Also last year, while the number of fatalities, 1,099, on Michigan roads increased by 4, the number of serious injuries (5,781) decreased by 35 when compared to 2023, 1,095 and 5,816, respectively.

In 2024, bicyclists experienced profound increases in crashes and/or fatalities from 2023’s statistics. Bicyclist involved crashes, 1,773, rose 20%, and bicyclist fatalities, 29, rose 21 percent. While pedestrian-involved crashes, 2,131, rose 1 percent, pedestrian fatalities decreased by 15 percent.

Other changes, according to the state police, include:

• Work zone involved fatalities, 28, rose 17 percent.

• Motorcycle involved crashes, 3,187, increased 4 percent and motorcyclist fatalities, 168, increased 2 percent.

• School bus involved crashes, 1,044, increased 6 percent.

Comparing 2024’s statistics to 2023’s numbers, other key findings include:

• Teen (aged 13-19) fatalities, 77, rose 17 percent, while young driver crashes, aged 20 and younger, decreased by 1 percent.

• Older driver involved crashes, aged 65 and over, 57,318, increased 4 percent.

• Drug involved crashes, 2,315, rose 3 percent, and drug-involved fatalities, 272, rose 6 percent.

• Alcohol involved fatalities, 307, increased 3 percent, but alcohol-involved crashes, 8,542, fell 3 percent.

• Distracted driving involved fatalities, 65, rose 10 percent, while distracted driving-involved crashes, 14,439, decreased 5 percent.

Bud Sargent can be reached at 906-228-2500, extension 544. His email address is bsargent@miningjournal.net.