Abstract
The Michigan state's traffic death toll in 1981 reflected the lowest number of fatalities in 18 years. Fatalities were down 10.4 % injuries were down 5.9 % and total accidents were down 3.7 %. Factors influencing the lower death toll and rate in 1981 were felt to include the lower speed limit, a slower paced economy in some sectors, operating costs of motor vehicles, and the on-going traffic safety efforts of police and other agencies.