MICHIGAN TRAFFIC DEATHS FALL 5 PERCENT IN 2011
Posted by Holly in Traffic Safety on April 24, 2012
Fewer people died in Michigan traffic crashes last year, driven partially by significant declines in motorcyclist fatalities, commercial motor vehicle-involved fatalities and alcohol and drug involvement in fatal crashes. Traffic deaths dropped 5 percent, from 937 in 2010 to 889 in 2011.
Statewide crash information is collected by the Michigan State Police (MSP) Criminal Justice Information Center.
Changes from 2010 to 2011 included a 1 percent increase in total crashes, up from 282,075 in 2010 to 284,049 in 2011; and a 2 percent increase in crash-related injuries, up from 70,501 in 2010 to 71,796 in 2011.
Crash data also showed a 3 percent drop in alcohol-involved fatalities, down from 283 in 2010 to 274 in 2011. Drug involvement in fatalities fell 17 percent, from 153 in 2010 to 127 in 2011.
“It is extremely good news that traffic deaths are down in 2011,” said Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue, MSP director. “Further study will take place to see if we can determine what may have caused the fairly large changes in the areas of motorcycles, commercial motor vehicles and drug involvement in fatal crashes.”
In other areas:
Cell phone-involved crashes decreased from 881 in 2010 to 821 in 2011. Cell phone-involved fatal crashes increased from four in 2010 to six in 2011.
Commercial motor vehicle-involved fatalities fell 23 percent, from 95 in 2010 to 73 in 2011.
Motorcyclist fatalities dropped 13 percent, from 125 in 2010 to 109 in 2011.
Bicyclist fatalities were down 17 percent, from 29 in 2010 to 24 in 2011.
Pedestrian fatalities increased 6 percent, from 131 in 2010 to 140 in 2011.
The number of car-deer crashes declined 4 percent, from 55,867 in 2010 to 53,592 in 2011.
NOTE: Additional 2011 crash information will be posted to www.michigantrafficcrashfacts.org in the coming months. Check frequently for updates.
Statewide Spring Drunk Driving Crackdown Results in 400 arrests
Posted by Holly in Drunk Driving, Traffic Safety on April 24, 2012
More than 400 motorists were arrested for drunk driving during a three-week impaired driving crackdown.
Of those arrested, 79 were charged under the state’s high blood alcohol content (BAC) law with having a BAC of .17 or higher.
Law enforcement officers from more than 165 agencies conducted stepped up enforcement aimed at curtailing drunk driving during the Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest. crackdown March 13-April 2. This resulted in 8,083 traffic stops and nearly 4,000 citations or arrests, including 281 for other alcohol- and drug-related charges such as open intoxicants.
“Michigan law enforcement agencies take drunk driving very seriously,” said Michael L. Prince, Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) director. “The increased enforcement also provided opportunities to identify other traffic safety violations and resolve unsolved cases.”
In addition to the 405 drunk driving arrests, 214 misdemeanor and felony arrests were made. Officers also issued 148 seat belt and child restraint, 722 speeding and 425 uninsured motorist citations. Five stolen vehicles were recovered, 326 drivers were found to be driving on suspended licenses and 161 fugitives were arrested during the enforcement effort. OHSP coordinated the effort, which was funded with federal highway safety grants, in 26 counties.
In Kalamazoo County, Richland Township officers stopped a suspected drunk driver. That stop resulted in several arrests including possession of drugs, open intoxicants, minor in possession charges and a confession for a recent home invasion.
In the past, OHSP funded March drunk driving efforts focused only on St. Patrick’s Day. A five-year review of crash data indicated alcohol use and failure to buckle up played a significant role in fatal and serious injury crashes during the month and into early April. March included St. Patrick’s Day, many school spring break periods and college basketball tournament games.
Grant-funded counties included: Allegan, Bay, Berrien, Calhoun, Chippewa, Delta, Genesee, Grand Traverse, Houghton, Ingham, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Livingston, Macomb, Marquette, Monroe, Muskegon, Oakland, Ottawa, Saginaw, St. Clair, Van Buren, Washtenaw, Wayne and Wexford.
MDOT release 2011 crash data
Posted by Holly in Traffic Safety on April 24, 2012
While the number of crashes, injuries and fatalities in road construction work zone crashes in Michigan were down from the year before, 2011 statistics released today by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) indicate that workers, motorists and their passengers are still at risk.
Last year, there were 4,633 crashes, 1,312 injuries, and 18 fatalities inMichigan work zones – down from 2010′s statistics: 5,632 crashes, 1,488 injuries, and 23 fatalities.
“While this data suggests some improvement over 2010, drivers must remain focused at all times when they get behind the wheel,” said State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle. “Many of these crashes are avoidable and the life you save could be your own.”
MDOT’s 2012 public awareness campaign will include a 60-second public service announcement (PSA) on Michigan Radio Network affiliate stations throughout the state.
“We join other transportation agencies this week to raise awareness and promote our safety message: by eliminating distractions, our roads become a safer place,” stated Steudle.
National Work Zone Awareness Week, April 23-27, is observed across the country. For more information, visit www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/wz/outreach/wz_awareness.htm.
For a detailed chart on MDOT’s work zone crash statistics and to hear the PSA, visit www.michigan.gov/workzonesafety.
U.S. Department of Transportation Proposes ‘Distraction’ Guidelines for Automakers
Posted by Holly in Distracted Driving on March 6, 2012
Proposed recommendations would encourage manufacturers to develop ‘less distracting’ in-vehicle electronic devices
WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced the first-ever federally proposed guidelines to encourage automobile manufacturers to limit the distraction risk for in-vehicle electronic devices. The proposed voluntary guidelines would apply to communications, entertainment, information gathering and navigation devices or functions that are not required to safely operate the vehicle.
Issued by the Department’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the guidelines would establish specific recommended criteria for electronic devices installed in vehicles at the time they are manufactured that require visual or manual operation by drivers. The announcement of the guidelines comes just days after President Obama’s FY 2013 budget request, which includes $330 million over six years for distracted driving programs that increase awareness of the issue and encourage stakeholders to take action.
“Distracted driving is a dangerous and deadly habit on America’s roadways – that’s why I’ve made it a priority to encourage people to stay focused behind the wheel,” said Secretary LaHood. “These guidelines are a major step forward in identifying real solutions to tackle the issue of distracted driving for drivers of all ages.”
Geared toward light vehicles (cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, minivans, and other vehicles rated at not more than 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight), the guidelines proposed today are the first in a series of guidance documents NHTSA plans to issue to address sources of distraction that require use of the hands and/or diversion of the eyes from the primary task of driving.
In particular, the Phase I proposed guidelines released today recommend criteria that manufacturers can use to ensure the systems or devices they provide in their vehicles are less likely to distract the driver with tasks not directly relevant to safely operating the vehicle, or cause undue distraction by engaging the driver’s eyes or hands for more than a very limited duration while driving. Electronic warning system functions such as forward-collision or lane departure alerts would not be subject to the proposed guidelines, since they are intended to warn a driver of a potential crash and are not considered distracting devices.
“We recognize that vehicle manufacturers want to build vehicles that include the tools and conveniences expected by today’s American drivers,” said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland. “The guidelines we’re proposing would offer real-world guidance to automakers to help them develop electronic devices that provide features consumers want—without disrupting a driver’s attention or sacrificing safety.”
The proposed Phase I distraction guidelines include recommendations to:
■Reduce complexity and task length required by the device;
■Limit device operation to one hand only (leaving the other hand to remain on the steering wheel to control the vehicle);
■Limit individual off-road glances required for device operation to no more than two seconds in duration;
■Limit unnecessary visual information in the driver’s field of view;
■Limit the amount of manual inputs required for device operation.
The proposed guidelines would also recommend the disabling of the following operations by in-vehicle electronic devices while driving, unless the devices are intended for use by passengers and cannot reasonably be accessed or seen by the driver, or unless the vehicle is stopped and the transmission shift lever is in park.
■Visual-manual text messaging;
■Visual-manual internet browsing;
■Visual-manual social media browsing;
■Visual-manual navigation system destination entry by address;
■Visual-manual 10-digit phone dialing;
■Displaying to the driver more than 30 characters of text unrelated to the driving task.
NHTSA is also considering future, Phase II proposed guidelines that might address devices or systems that are not built into the vehicle but are brought into the vehicle and used while driving, including aftermarket and portable personal electronic devices such as navigation systems, smart phones, electronic tablets and pads, and other mobile communications devices. A third set of proposed guidelines (Phase III) may address voice-activated controls to further minimize distraction in factory-installed, aftermarket, and portable devices.
The Phase I guidelines were published in today’s Federal Register and members of the public will have the opportunity to comment on the proposal for 60 days. Final guidelines will be issued after the agency reviews and analyzes and responds to public input.
NHTSA will also hold public hearings on the proposed guidelines to solicit public comment. The hearings will take place in March and will be held in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington D.C.
Study identifies disparities in behind-the-wheel training for certain groups of teens
Posted by Holly in Teen Driver on February 14, 2012
In a new study from The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and State Farm®, researchers provide national estimates of participation in formal driver education (DE) and identify disparities in behind-the-wheel training among certain groups of teens.
According to the study, 79 percent of public high school students with driver licenses participated in formal DE, which traditionally includes 30 hours of classroom and six hours of behind-the-wheel instruction from a certified driving instructor. However, in states with no DE mandate for licensure, more than one-third of students received no formal instruction and more than half had no behind-the-wheel training before obtaining their license. Participation in formal DE was particularly poor for Hispanic teens, with 71 percent not taking part in states where it is not required.
The findings should be used to encourage more states to align their driver education programs with new national standards from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and then to include driver education requirements as part of their Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) law. To learn more about this study, visit teendriversource.org.
Let a sober designated driver be the key to your Super Bowl safety
Posted by Holly in Drunk Driving, Traffic Safety on January 30, 2012
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Holiday enforcement results in more than 300 drunk driving arrests
Posted by Holly in Drunk Driving, Traffic Safety on January 19, 2012
More than 300 motorists are starting 2012 with a budget-busting bill after being arrested during a statewide drunk driving crackdown over the holidays. Of those arrested, 38 were charged under the state’s high blood alcohol content (BAC) law with having a BAC of .17 or higher. Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest crackdown Dec. 16-Jan. 2. This resulted in 7,334 traffic stops and more than 3,800 citations or arrests, including 108 for other alcohol- and drug-related charges such as open intoxicants.
On average, a drunk driving arrest in Michigan costs about $15,000, including court costs, legal fees, bail, towing, license fees and increased insurance rates.
Law enforcement officers from more than 165 agencies conducted stepped up enforcement aimed at curtailing drunk driving during the
The Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) coordinated the effort which was funded with federal highway safety grants in 26 counties. In addition to the 308 drunk driving arrests, 175 other misdemeanor and felony arrests were made. Officers also issued 91 seat belt and child restraint, 649 speeding and 360 uninsured motorist citations. Three stolen vehicles were recovered, 317 drivers were found to be driving on suspended licenses and 171 fugitives were arrested during the enforcement effort. During a similar effort last year that included 35 grant-funded counties, officers made 9,462 traffic stops and arrested 356 drunk drivers.
“Drunk driving is not tolerated in Michigan,” said Michael L. Prince, OHSP director. “Those motorists who made the poor decision to drive while impaired will be paying the price in 2012 and beyond.”
Preliminary reports from the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center indicate 15 people died in traffic crashes during the recent Christmas and New Year’s holidays, with four of those deaths involving alcohol. Three of those killed were pedestrians and one was a snowmobiler. This is an increase over the 2011 holiday periods when 11 people died in traffic crashes. Four of those deaths were also alcohol-related.
Grant-funded counties included: Allegan, Bay, Berrien, Calhoun, Chippewa, Delta, Genesee, Grand Traverse, Houghton, Ingham, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Livingston, Macomb, Marquette, Monroe, Muskegon, Oakland, Ottawa, Saginaw, St. Clair, Van Buren, Washtenaw, Wayne and Wexford counties.
Traffic crashes kill 15 during Christmas and New Year’s holidays
Posted by Holly in Traffic Safety on January 5, 2012
Preliminary reports from the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center indicate 15 people died in traffic crashes over the recent Christmas and New Year’s holidays, with four of those deaths involving alcohol. Three of those killed were pedestrians and one was a 48-year-old snowmobiler in Antrim County. This is an increase over the 2010 holiday periods when 11 people died in traffic crashes. Four of those deaths were also alcohol-related.
Six deaths occurred Dec. 24-26, two of which involved alcohol. In three cases, drivers or passengers were not buckled at the time of the crash. Two of the fatal crashes occurred in Wayne County, while the others happened in Jackson, Ingham, Washtenaw and Macomb counties.
The other nine fatalities occurred between Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, two of which were alcohol-related. The fatal crashes occurred in Antrim, Calhoun, Clare, Genesee, Gratiot, Kalamazoo, Lapeer, Mason and St. Clair counties.
More than 165 law enforcement agencies in 26 counties conducted drunk driving enforcement during extra patrols funded by the Office of Highway Safety Planning through federal traffic safety funds, Dec. 16-Jan. 2. Enforcement results will be available in the coming weeks.
Veto Helmet Repeal Petition
Posted by Holly in Traffic Safety on December 21, 2011
Under pressure from a small but vocal group of people who ride motorcycles, the Michigan Legislature is considering a repeal of the state’s all-rider motorcycle helmet law, which has been in effect for over four decades. Michigan residents, Governor Snyder needs to hear from you that you are against the repeal of this lifesaving and dollar-saving law.
You can help save lives and save dollars by helping to head off repeal of our current all-rider motorcycle helmet law. Sign a petition asking Governor Snyder to veto any legislation that may reach his desk that would repeal or significantly weaken our state’s current all-rider motorcycle helmet law.
How can I help?
1. Go to http://www.change.org.
2. Enter (copy and paste or type) the following into the search field: Michigan Governor: Veto Helmet-Law Repeal to Protect Heads and Michigan’s Bottom Line
. Fill out the petition fields.
4. You may add a personal reason before signing the petition letter if you wish.
5. SIGN. The petition letter with your information will be e-mailed to Governor Snyder.
NOTE: Your signature to the petition will be publically displayed and you will be sent e-mails to keep you updated on this campaign UNLESS you uncheck the default boxes below your information.
Do I need to create an account to sign petitions?
If you are a first-time petition-signer on Change.org, an account and user profile will automatically be created for you during the course of signing your first petition; you do not need to sign up first. Then when you return in the future to sign additional petitions, Change.org remembers your personal information and pre-populates the petition signature forms for you.
Who will see my name?
If you sign the petition, your name and e-mail address will appear on the petition letter sent to Governor Snyder. If you uncheck the “Display my signature publicly” checkbox on the petition, your name will not appear in the list of signers displayed on the site.
What can I do to help this petition succeed?
The best way to help this petition succeed is to tell others about the petition and why you care about the issue. Forward this notice to your e-mail contacts and place it on your social media sites.
Information in addition to what is contained in the petition can be found at www.smarter-usa.org
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SMARTER
P.O. Box 121
Scottville, MI 49454-0121
www.smarter-usa.org
All the Gear All the Time!
Don’t get cooked this Thanksgiving Seat belts – sober driving are keys to a safe holiday
Posted by Holly in Drunk Driving, Traffic Safety on November 22, 2011
Thanksgiving weekend can be an especially treacherous time on Michigan roadways with increased traffic, deer on the move, and the unpredictable late November weather. Add to that one too many cocktails and you could find yourself in a cornucopia of trouble.
The night before Thanksgiving is unofficially known as the “biggest bar night of the year” and last year, 159 people were arrested for alcohol-related offenses between 6 p.m. and 4 a.m. Thanksgiving morning. On an average Wednesday night in November about 56 people are arrested for alcohol-related offenses.
“Thanksgiving is a special time to celebrate with friends and family, but it should be done responsibly,” Office of Highway Safety Planning Director Michael L. Prince said. “By making the decision not to drive after drinking you could be saving your life and the lives of others.” Party-goers are encouraged to designate a sober driver before drinking, take a cab home, or spend the night. The only place scarier than the mall at 6 a.m. on Black Friday is jail.
Motorists are also reminded to buckle-up and be sure to keep kids properly secured in car seats while traveling. Wearing a seat belt is the single best thing a person can do to protect yourself in the event of a crash, reducing the risk of death or serious injury by 50 percent. When used correctly, car seats are 71 percent effective in preventing death and 50 percent effective in preventing injuries.
During last year’s Thanksgiving holiday weekend, 10 people were killed in Michigan roadways in nine crashes. Three of those deaths were alcohol-related and three of the victims were not wearing a seat belt, according to the Michigan Department of State Police Criminal Justice Information Center.