Michigan Fatal Accident Study
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
MoneyGeek analyzed 2,820 fatal crashes on Michigan’s roadways between 2018 and 2020 to find the deadliest stretches of road in the state. In Michigan, there are 256,579 miles of road; we included 1,742 roads in our study.
We considered factors that cause accidents, including drunk driving, speeding, distracted driving, winter weather and time of year.
Detroit
Romulus | Taylor
Detroit
Redford Township | Detroit
Harper Woods | Detroit | Saint Clair Shores
Waterford
Warren | Pleasant Ridge | Madison Heights | Royal Oak
Muskegon County
Grand Rapids
DetroitBetween 2018 and 2020, 803 of the 2,820 total fatal accidents in Michigan involved drunk driving. Drunk driving outnumbers distracted driving, speeding and winter weather combined. It's the most common factor in Michigan's fatal accidents.
Alcohol impairs driving ability before you reach Michigan's legal intoxication limit. A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% marks legal intoxication in Michigan, but even a BAC of 0.02% impairs your vision and makes it harder to perform two tasks simultaneously. This amount of alcohol diminishes your driving abilities and puts you and others at risk.
Even without a fatal crash, DUI costs are severe and long-lasting. Consequences include license suspension, restricted driving privileges or jail time. A DUI conviction makes it much harder to find affordable auto insurance in Michigan. You'll need SR-22 insurance, which costs more than standard policies.
Between 2018 and 2020, speeding caused 729 fatal accidents in Michigan (25.9% of all fatal accidents). Speeding is the second-leading cause of deadly accidents statewide.
Speeding puts you and others at risk. Driving too fast makes it harder to stop when needed, whether you're in suburban areas or on highways. This increases your crash risk.
Distracted driving is the third-leading cause of fatal accidents in Michigan. Between 2018 and 2020, distracted driving was involved in 179 deadly crashes (6.3% of all fatal accidents). Michigan ranked better than 66% of states in MoneyGeek's analysis of distracted driving.
August had the most fatal accidents (331) between 2018 and 2020, accounting for 11.7% of all fatal accidents. July had 301 fatal crashes (10.7%), followed by September with 289 crashes (10.2%). More accidents happen in Michigan during warmer months. This is surprising since Michigan ranked as the most dangerous state for winter driving.
Safe driving protects you and other drivers while lowering your insurance costs. But accidents happen. Full coverage auto insurance provides financial protection when crashes occur, covering repair costs and liability.
Auto insurance in Michigan costs an average of $4,333 per year. But rates vary by location. Detroit drivers pay an average of $5,471 annually, while Grand Rapids drivers pay $1,738. Detroit rates are $3,733 higher per year.
MoneyGeek collected premiums across Michigan, but these figures are averages. Compare quotes from multiple insurers to find the most affordable auto insurance for your needs. Insurers set your premiums based on your age, driving record, ZIP code, credit score and coverage choices.
The top five Michigan counties with the most fatal accidents had 1,156 crashes combined (41% of all accidents between 2018 and 2020).
Wayne County had the most accidents with 539 fatal crashes (19% statewide). The deadliest road in the county was I-94, where 24 fatal accidents occurred. Speeding caused the most accidents (172), followed by drunk driving (142).
MoneyGeek analyzed data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS) database using fatality data from 2018, 2019 and 2020. Data from 2020 is the latest available.
About Doug Milnes, CFA
Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.
Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.
