Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA data, Michigan recorded 5,541 traffic deaths in 5,173 fatal crashes over the most recent five-year period — 11.0 per 100,000 residents per year, ranking #31 of 50 states (most dangerous first); the US average is 12.3.
Traffic Deaths (5-Yr Total)
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 (5-Yr) | 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 over the most recent five-year period, 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 over the most recent five-year period, 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.