Illustration by recovered.org

A report published by the Michigan State Police says the number of alcohol-related car crashes across the state declined during 2024 – but not by much.

The Statewide Traffic Crash Data Year End Report for 2024 states there were 8,542 alcohol-involved crashes (down 3%), with 307 alcohol-related fatalities (up 3%), though overall impaired driving killed 447 people, a significant portion of total traffic deaths, highlighting a trend of declining crashes but persistent dangers, especially around holidays like New Year’s.

The report also says drug-involved crashes and fatalities increased significantly, highlighting a shift in impaired driving dangers. Comparing 2024’s statistics to 2023’s numbers, drug-involved crashes (2,315) rose 3%, and drug-involved fatalities (272) rose 6%.

Michigan drunken driving accident statistics show that drivers with more than the legal limit of alcohol in their systems are seven times more likely to be in a fatal crash and six to 17 times more likely to be killed. In Michigan, 27.3% of all fatal crashes are alcohol-related and occur between the hours of 9 and 11:59 p.m.

According to the Michigan drunken driving accident statistics in 2024, 28.5% of the drivers involved in “drinking only” crashes were between 25 and 34 years of age. This driver age group had the highest number of drinking, in total crashes, fatal crashes and injury crashes.

While the MSP report was limited to cars, alcohol-related snowmobile crash statistics are recorded elsewhere. During the 2024-2025 snowmobile season, according the Department of Natural Resources snowmobile fatality summary, in January, Houghton County reported an alcohol-related snowmobile fatality in which the victim, a 63-year-old male, had a blood-alcohol content of .129%. He failed to negotiate a corner on a groomed snowmobile trail and his snowmobile left the trail, hitting a large tree. The victim was ejected, striking multiple smaller trees.

During the same season, Ontonagon County reported two alcohol-related snowmobile fatalities, one of which was determined to have a BAC of .150% and the other, a .230% BAC.

On Dec. 2, in Houghton County, a Calumet Township teen was arrested after crashing his snowmobile into a tree on the Hancock-Calumet Trail. Hancock Police Chief Tami Sleeman said after his release the driver was arrested and charged with two-alcohol related counts — Unlawful Blood Alcohol Level and Operating Under the Influence of Liquor.

Houghton City Police Chief John Donnelly said when it comes to crashes involving that age group, alcohol is just one factor.

“The leading causes of death for our younger population, when you come to accidents, whether in an automobile or just as well on a snowmobile, speed and alcohol are definitely huge factors.”