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. In Michigan, there are 256,579 miles of road; we included 1,742 roads in our study.

MoneyGeek's study examined factors contributing to fatal accidents across Michigan, including drunk driving, speeding, distracted driving, winter weather and time of year. We analyzed county-specific data to identify the deadliest roads in each area.

• SR-3 Gratiot Avenue from Liberal Street to Van Dyke Avenue is Michigan's deadliest road. Sixteen fatal accidents occurred here between 2018 and 2020.
• Drunk driving contributed to 28.5% of fatal accidents (803 of the 2,820 total fatal accidents 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 accidents (729 fatal accidents) between 2018 and 2020. Distracted driving contributed to 6.3% of crashes (179 fatal accidents) during the same period.
• August had the most fatal accidents (331) between 2018 and 2020, followed by July (301) and September (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.

Between 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.