LANSING (WWJ) – Michigan State Police say there were fewer crashes and more deaths on Michigan streets and highways in the latest year.

The agency said that the number of crashes fell four-percent in to 2012 from the year before. But traffic deaths rose five-percent last year over 2011.

State police say there’s been a 31 percent drop in the number of crashes over a decade.

WWJ recently reported on the high number of accidents and deaths for teen drivers.

The manager of Ford’s Driving Skills For Life, Jim Graham, has advice for teen drivers and their parents.

Graham says teen drivers need to buckle up, reduce the number of passengers, obey the speed limit, and avoid distractions.