Report shows fewer crashes, more deaths on Michigan roads during pandemic

(WWJ) -- Despite the pandemic keeping more people home from work and school, a new report shows traffic deaths increased last year.

Statistics from the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center says for the first time in three years more than 1,000 people died in crashes in 2020. That's a 10% increase from the year before, and the highest number since 2007.

A reported 326 people who died were involved in drunk driving crashes.

While the number of people who died increased, the number of accidents and serious injuries dropped.

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The director of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning says the increase in deaths may be due to drivers speeding, driving drunk and not wearing seat belts.

He plans to schedule more special patrols to focus on those problems.