Traffic deaths in the state of Michigan continue to rise at an alarming rate.

According to recently released statistics compiled by Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center and available on the state website, Michigan traffic deaths during 2021 peaked above 1,100.

The 1,131 fatalities in 2021 marked the most traffic fatalities in Michigan since 1,129 deaths in 2005.

Additioanlly, the percentage of alcohol-involved fatalities increased by 10 percent from 326 deaths in 2020 to 357 in 2021. This represents 31 percent of all traffic fatalities for the year, the state website noted.

“Unfortunately, there was a steady rise in traffic crashes and injuries during 2021, and we are determined to turn those numbers around and save more lives,” Alicia Sledge, interim director of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning noted.

Although bicycle fatalities did decrease to 29 in 2021, down 24 percent, from 38 in 2020, in nearly every other grim category, there was increases in fatalities:

• Motorcyclist fatalities increased from 152 in 2020 to 166 in 2021, up 9 percent.

• Pedestrian fatalities increased from 175 in 2020 to 183 in 2021, up 5 percent.

• Commercial motor vehicle-involved fatalities increased from 78 in 2020 to 103 in 2021, up 32 percent.

• Deer-involved fatalities increased from 5 in 2020 to 10 in 2021, up 100 percent.

• Construction zone fatalities increased from 14 in 2020 to 20 in 2021, up 43 percent.

• Distracted-involved fatalities increased from 52 in 2020 to 59 in 2021, up 13 percent.

If anyone thought the COVID-19 pandemic, lockins, quarantines and the such would force down the number of people dying behind the wheel, that idea has certainly proved false.

The OHSP pledges additional effort to help change the troubling trend.

We look forward to future state reports showing reduced numbers.