Michigan’s Deadliest Roads and Fatal Accident Statistics

MoneyGeek analyzed 2,820 fatal crashes on Michigan's roadways between 2018 and 2020 to find the deadliest stretches of road in the state. Michigan has 256,579 miles of road; the study covered 1,742 of them.

The analysis examined contributing factors including drunk driving, speeding, distracted driving, winter weather and time of year.

• SR-3 Gratiot Avenue from Liberal Street to Van Dyke Avenue is Michigan's deadliest road. Sixteen fatal accidents happened between 2018 and 2020.
• Drunk driving contributed to 28.5% of fatal accidents (803 of the 2,820 statewide).
• Winter weather conditions contributed to 4.8% of Michigan's deadly crashes, even though MoneyGeek ranked Michigan as the deadliest state for winter driving.
• Speeding contributed to 25.9% of fatal accidents (729 total) between 2018 and 2020. Distracted driving accounted for 6.3% of fatal crashes (179) in the same period.
• August had the most fatal accidents (331) between 2018 and 2020. July had 301; September had 289.
• Wayne County had the highest number of deadly crashes (539). The deadliest road in the county was I-94, where 24 fatal accidents occurred.

Drunk driving was the single largest contributing factor in Michigan's fatal crashes between 2018 and 2020. It contributed to 803 of the 2,820 total accidents statewide.

Alcohol impairs driving ability before a driver reaches 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 vision and makes it harder to perform two tasks at once.

A DUI conviction carries lasting consequences beyond the crash itself. Drivers convicted of a DUI in Michigan risk license suspension, restricted driving privileges and jail time. A DUI also triggers an SR-22 filing requirement. Auto insurance costs rise above standard rates as a result.

Over the same period, speeding caused 729 fatal accidents in Michigan (25.9% of the statewide total). Speeding was the second-leading cause of deadly crashes.

At higher speeds, stopping distances increase on both suburban roads and highways. Longer stopping distances raise crash severity and the risk of a fatality.

Distracted driving was the third-leading cause of fatal accidents in Michigan between 2018 and 2020. It contributed to 179 deadly crashes (6.3% of all fatal crashes) over that period. Michigan ranked better than 66% of states in MoneyGeek's analysis of distracted driving.

August led all months in fatal accidents between 2018 and 2020, with 331 crashes (11.7% of the statewide total). July followed with 301 fatal crashes (10.7%), then September with 289 (10.2%). The pattern runs counter to Michigan's standing as the most dangerous state for winter driving, per a separate MoneyGeek study.

Full coverage averages $4,333 a year in Michigan. Rates vary sharply by city. Detroit averages $5,471 a year; Grand Rapids averages $1,738. The gap is $3,733 a year.

MoneyGeek collected premium data from insurers across Michigan. These figures are averages. Individual rates reflect driving record, ZIP code and coverage level. MoneyGeek's analysis of the cheapest car insurance companies breaks down rates by insurer nationally.

The top five Michigan counties with the most fatal accidents had 1,156 crashes combined (41% of all fatal accidents between 2018 and 2020).

Wayne County had the most fatal accidents with 539 crashes (19% statewide). The deadliest road in the county was I-94, where 24 fatal accidents occurred. Speeding caused the most fatal crashes in the county (172). Drunk driving caused 142 fatal crashes.

MoneyGeek used the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS) database. Fatality data covers 2018, 2019 and 2020; the 2020 figures were the most recent available at the time of publication.