Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System data, Sterling Heights, MI recorded 33 traffic deaths in 33 fatal crashes from 2020 to 2024 — 5.0 deaths per 100,000 residents per year vs the US average of 12.3. Its Road Danger Score of 26/100 means a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 26% of ranked US cities (#43 of 62 in Michigan, most dangerous first).
Road Danger Score
Traffic Deaths per 100K
Fatal Crashes 2020–2024
How Dangerous Are the Roads in Sterling Heights, Michigan?
Sterling Heights has a Road Danger Score of 26/100 (Safer Roads Than Most Cities). Over the five years from 2020 to 2024, federal crash data recorded 33 fatal motor-vehicle crashes in the city, killing 33 people — 5.0 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, below the national average of 12.3.
Sterling Heights ranks #43 out of 62 ranked cities in Michigan and #1,599 out of 2,153 nationally for road danger (most dangerous first). The score is a percentile: a higher traffic-fatality rate than about 26% of ranked US cities.
Traffic deaths in Sterling Heights rose 8% comparing 2020–2021 with 2023–2024.
What’s Behind Sterling Heights’s Fatal Crashes (2020–2024)
Share of the city’s 33 fatal crashes where each factor was recorded. Factors overlap, so shares don’t sum to 100%.
| Crash Factor | Fatal Crashes | Sterling Heights | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking driver involved | 8 | 24.2% | 25.9% |
| Speeding involved | 4 | 12.1% | 28.2% |
| Pedestrian or cyclist involved | 6 | 18.2% | 22.5% |
| Dark / nighttime conditions | 13 | 39.4% | 49.8% |
Sterling Heights Traffic Deaths by Year
Annual traffic fatalities in Sterling Heights, Michigan from NHTSA FARS. Single-year swings are normal in smaller cities; the Road Danger Score uses the full 5-year window.
| Year | Traffic Deaths |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2020 | 4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many fatal car accidents happen in Sterling Heights, Michigan?
According to NHTSA FARS data, Sterling Heights recorded 33 fatal car accidents between 2020 and 2024, resulting in 33 traffic deaths — an average of 6.6 deaths per year.
How dangerous are the roads in Sterling Heights?
Sterling Heights has a Road Danger Score of 26/100, meaning its traffic-fatality rate is higher than about 26% of ranked US cities. The city averages 5.0 traffic deaths per 100,000 residents per year, compared to the US average of 12.3.
What causes fatal car accidents in Sterling Heights?
Of Sterling Heights's fatal crashes in 2020–2024, 24% involved a drinking driver, 12% involved speeding, 18% involved a pedestrian or cyclist, and 39% happened in dark conditions.
How many people die in car accidents in Sterling Heights each year?
An average of 6.6 people per year died in car accidents in Sterling Heights across 2020–2024 (33 total), based on the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
Is driving in Sterling Heights more dangerous than in other Michigan cities?
Sterling Heights ranks #43 of 62 ranked Michigan cities for road danger (most dangerous first) and #1,599 of 2,153 nationally.