Citing a recent report by Bridge Michigan, state officials with the Department of Transportation are discussing why drunk driving arrests are trending down but alcohol-related crashes are on the rise.
Among the key findings in the report, drunk driving arrests have dropped 28 percent in the last ten years, while fatal alcohol- and drug-related crashes have risen 40 percent.
Experts link the rise in crashes to fewer police officers and less traffic enforcement which they believe leads to more dangerous driving behavior.
In 67 of Michigan’s 83 counties, drunk driving arrests have declined, following the national trend.
MDOT reports show alcohol is a factor in up to 40% of traffic fatalities in Michigan each year.
According to the Michigan State Police annual drunk driving audit, in 2023 the state had nearly 10,500 crashes in which a driver was found to be impaired, resulting in 454 deaths and more than 6,300 injuries.
