Traffic Fatalities Continue To Rise In Michigan

DETROIT (WWJ) - Traffic fatalities in Michigan continue to increase year over year.

This is the fifth consecutive year that fatal crashes in southeast Michigan increased -- with 387 deaths in 2015.

The report by SEMCOG shows that the number of total crashes also increased for the third year in a row -- with nearly 2,000 severe injuries reported.

"Some of the reasons they are up," says Kathleen Lomako SEMCOG's Executive Director, "there are increased fatalities where alcohol is involved -- were drugs were involved and we are seeing that the number of motorists and bicyclists related fatalities."

Meantime, M-DOT has reported 331 traffic deaths this year in all of Michigan -- up 51 from last year at this time.

Heading into a heavily trafficked holiday weekend she cautions drivers to remember to buckle up, be aware of other people on the road including bikes and motorcyclists and, of course, not to drink and drive.