Michigan traffic deaths up 8 pct. to 939 in 2010

LANSING (AP) -- The number of traffic deaths in Michigan rose 8 percent in 2010, the first increase in seven years, state police said recently. Last year, 937 people were killed on Michigan streets and highways, up from 871 in 2009, according to the Office of Highway Safety Planning. It said 980 people died in 2008. Nationally, 32,788 people were killed on roads in 2010, down 3 percent from 2009, the U.S. Transportation Department said. "Additional study will be necessary to determine what factors may have played a part in the increases or decreases that we are experiencing," said safety office Director Michael L. Prince. "As an example, last summer was one of the warmest on record, which might have played a significant role in increasing our exposure in some areas such as motorcycle fatalities where fatalities increased." Motorcycle deaths to127 in 2010, up from 105 in 2009, the office said. The number of fatal crashes where drugs were known to be involved rose from 119 in 2009 to 153 in 2010, the office said. It said that may be due to increased drug testing. Crashes involving cellphones fell from 294 in 2009 to 265 in 2010, the office said. It said there was no separate breakdown for crashes involving texting. Published: Wed, Jun 8, 2011