Related
(WWJ) On the same day they announced they found the vehicle involved in the hit-and-run on I-94 that killed a road worker, Michigan State Police had more news: Your drive is getting more dangerous.
New figures from MSP show Michigan roads are getting more deadly.
Across the state, 730 people have died in traffic crashes so far this year. That's 58 more deaths than the same time last year.
There is one bright spot in the dire data: While the number of deaths has increased, the number of injuries is down. So far this year, 3,597 serious injuries have been reported in Michigan road crashes. That's 348 fewer than at this time last year.
Of course, this is happening as offices and schools across the state are shuttered due to coronavirus so there are fewer drivers on the road.
So why are there so many more deadly crashes? Police noted an uptick in speeding drivers as fewer people hit the roads, noting many incidents where drivers have been pulled over going well in excess of 100 mph on the freeway. In one incident, a man was nabbed at 180 mph.
In a Tweet this spring, state police wrote: "MSP wants people to know, just because there is less traffic on the roads & warmer weather, there are no excuses for speeding."