Pedestrian safety continues to be a pressing traffic issue in Michigan. Preliminary national data shows pedestrian deaths fell for a third straight year in 2025, but Michigan moved in the opposite direction. Data from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) shows pedestrian fatalities in Michigan rose significantly in 2025, pointing to the ongoing risks pedestrians face on Michigan roads.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Michigan pedestrian accident, understanding these statistics can help explain why pedestrian safety remains a major public concern throughout the state.
Michigan’s Pedestrian Deaths Rose 16.7% in a Single Year
According to the GHSA’s preliminary 2025 data, Michigan recorded:
- 182 pedestrian fatalities in 2025
- 156 pedestrian fatalities in 2024
- 26 more deaths than the year before
- 16.7% year-over-year increase
While the country as a whole saw pedestrian deaths drop 7%, Michigan was one of only 17 states where fatalities increased in 2025.
How 2025 Compares Against Recent Years
Pedestrian fatalities in Michigan have fluctuated since the pandemic:
| Year | Pedestrian Fatalities |
| 2019 | 149 |
| 2020 | 175 |
| 2021 | 183 |
| 2022 | 173 |
| 2023 | 183 |
| 2024 | 156 |
| 2025 (Preliminary) | 182 |
The 2025 preliminary total of 182 came within one death of Michigan’s record high of 183, after a brief dip in 2024.
Michigan’s Pedestrian Fatality Rate Also Increased
GHSA also tracks pedestrian deaths per 100,000 residents, accounting for population changes over time. Michigan’s rate rose from 1.54 deaths per 100,000 people in 2024 to 1.80 in 2025. Michigan’s rate is still lower than several states in the South and West; however, the increase shows that pedestrian safety worsened statewide during 2025.
Michigan Had One of the Steepest Increases in the Country
Michigan saw one of the biggest jumps in pedestrian fatalities of any state in 2025. In terms of year-over-year increases, Michigan ranked among the highest nationwide:
- North Carolina: +94
- Illinois: +29
- Michigan: +26
- Ohio: +20
- Virginia: +13
The Good News: Walkable Michigan Cities Are Part of a National Turnaround
Nationally, GHSA projects 6,732 pedestrian deaths in 2025, about 505 fewer than 2024 and a 7% decline overall, the third consecutive year of improvement. That progress is especially encouraging for Michigan’s most walkable communities…