DETROIT (WKZO) -- Motorcycle deaths are up in Michigan.

According to a report by the Michigan State Police released this week, in the first year Michigan has allowed bikers to ride without a helmet, the number of motorcycle deaths has jumped 18-percent.  The numbers show that five riders were killed without a helmet in 2011.  That number swelled to 55 in 2012.

Overall, traffic deaths in Michigan jumped 5.3-percent in 2012.