Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA data, Michigan recorded 5,541 traffic deaths in 5,173 fatal crashes from 2020 to 2024 — 11.0 per 100,000 residents per year, ranking #31 of 50 states (most dangerous first); the US average is 12.3.
Traffic Deaths 2020–2024
Deaths per 100K per Year
State Rank
Michigan Traffic Deaths by Year
The Most Dangerous Michigan Cities to Drive In
All 62 ranked Michigan cities by Road Danger Score (5-year traffic deaths per 100,000 residents, most dangerous first).
| # | City | Danger Score | Deaths (2020–2024) | Deaths per 100K/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flint | 99/100 | 132 | 33.3 |
| 2 | Kalamazoo Township | 97/100 | 32 | 26.3 |
| 3 | Romulus | 97/100 | 31 | 25.2 |
| 4 | Detroit | 95/100 | 699 | 21.5 |
| 5 | Flint Township | 87/100 | 24 | 15.6 |
| 6 | Burton | 84/100 | 21 | 14.3 |
| 7 | Battle Creek | 80/100 | 40 | 13.1 |
| 8 | Alpena | 74/100 | 6 | 11.9 |
| 9 | Southfield | 70/100 | 42 | 11.1 |
| 10 | Walker | 70/100 | 14 | 11.1 |
| 11 | Lansing | 69/100 | 61 | 10.9 |
| 12 | Taylor | 69/100 | 33 | 10.9 |
| 13 | Roseville | 68/100 | 25 | 10.8 |
| 14 | Wayne | 67/100 | 9 | 10.7 |
| 15 | Wyoming | 65/100 | 39 | 10.0 |
| 16 | Saginaw | 64/100 | 21 | 9.8 |
| 17 | Redford Township | 64/100 | 23 | 9.8 |
| 18 | Mount Pleasant | 63/100 | 10 | 9.7 |
| 19 | Inkster | 63/100 | 12 | 9.7 |
| 20 | Grandville | 61/100 | 8 | 9.5 |
| 21 | Muskegon | 59/100 | 17 | 9.1 |
| 22 | Traverse City | 57/100 | 7 | 8.9 |
| 23 | Chesterfield Township | 56/100 | 20 | 8.8 |
| 24 | Port Huron | 55/100 | 12 | 8.5 |
| 25 | Norton Shores | 51/100 | 10 | 8.0 |
| 26 | Adrian | 51/100 | 8 | 8.0 |
| 27 | Warren | 51/100 | 54 | 8.0 |
| 28 | Clinton Township | 50/100 | 39 | 7.9 |
| 29 | Southgate | 49/100 | 11 | 7.7 |
| 30 | Grand Rapids | 48/100 | 75 | 7.7 |
| 31 | Eastpointe | 45/100 | 12 | 7.2 |
| 32 | Livonia | 42/100 | 31 | 6.8 |
| 33 | Harper Woods | 42/100 | 5 | 6.8 |
| 34 | Trenton | 42/100 | 6 | 6.8 |
| 35 | Jackson | 40/100 | 10 | 6.5 |
| 36 | Portage | 40/100 | 16 | 6.5 |
| 37 | Bay City | 39/100 | 10 | 6.3 |
| 38 | Holland | 35/100 | 10 | 5.8 |
| 39 | Dearborn | 34/100 | 30 | 5.7 |
| 40 | Kentwood | 32/100 | 15 | 5.6 |
| 41 | Farmington Hills | 30/100 | 22 | 5.4 |
| 42 | Ypsilanti | 29/100 | 5 | 5.3 |
| 43 | Madison Heights | 26/100 | 7 | 5.0 |
| 44 | Sterling Heights | 26/100 | 33 | 5.0 |
| 45 | Genesee Township | 25/100 | 5 | 5.0 |
| 46 | Royal Oak | 25/100 | 14 | 4.9 |
| 47 | Marquette | 24/100 | 5 | 4.7 |
| 48 | Dearborn Heights | 23/100 | 14 | 4.7 |
| 49 | Midland | 20/100 | 9 | 4.2 |
| 50 | St. Clair Shores | 20/100 | 12 | 4.2 |
| 51 | Westland | 20/100 | 17 | 4.2 |
| 52 | Troy | 18/100 | 17 | 3.9 |
| 53 | Hamtramck | 16/100 | 5 | 3.7 |
| 54 | Novi | 16/100 | 12 | 3.6 |
| 55 | East Lansing | 15/100 | 9 | 3.6 |
| 56 | Ann Arbor | 14/100 | 20 | 3.4 |
| 57 | Shelby Township | 12/100 | 12 | 3.0 |
| 58 | White Lake Township | 9/100 | 4 | 2.6 |
| 59 | Garden City | 8/100 | 3 | 2.3 |
| 60 | Plymouth Township | 5/100 | 2 | 1.5 |
| 61 | Waterford Township | 4/100 | 5 | 1.4 |
| 62 | Grand Blanc Township | 1/100 | 1 | 0.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many car accidents happen in Michigan?
NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System recorded 5,173 fatal car accidents in Michigan from 2020 to 2024, killing 5,541 people — an average of 1,108 traffic deaths per year.
How dangerous are Michigan roads compared to other states?
Michigan averages 11.0 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, ranking #31 of 50 states (most dangerous first). The US average is 12.3 per 100,000.
What causes fatal car accidents in Michigan?
Of Michigan's fatal crashes in 2020–2024, 28% involved a drinking driver, 26% involved speeding, and 46% happened in dark conditions.
Which Michigan city is the most dangerous to drive in?
Among ranked Michigan cities, Flint has the highest Road Danger Score (99/100) at 33.3 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year.