These Are the 10 Deadliest Roads in Michigan

If you’ve ever felt way more on edge driving Michigan’s state highways than cruising down an interstate, turns out you’re not imagining things. I mean, I’m always a little on edge on I-69 or I-75 just because of deer. They’re everywhere, and it constantly feels like one is about to jump out of the woods at the worst possible time.

A recent study looking at nearly 130,000 fatal crashes nationwide found that state highways, not interstates, are where the deadliest crashes happen most often. And Michigan is no exception.

Over a five-year stretch, Michigan recorded 5,063 fatal crashes, with 41 percent happening on state highways. That’s more than any other road type. Local streets came next at 27 percent, followed by interstates at 16 percent and U.S. highways at 15 percent.

Why State Highways Are Riskier in Michigan

State highways are kind of the worst of both worlds. Faster than city streets, but with way more intersections, side roads, driveways, and cross traffic than interstates. Add in Michigan winters, distracted driving, and people pushing it five to ten over, and yeah, it gets sketchy fast.

Some very familiar Michigan roads show up near the top of this list. These aren’t back roads or rarely used routes. They’re highways that a lot of us drive every day.

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Let me be clear. These aren’t death traps. Millions of people use them safely every day. But familiar roads have a way of making you let your guard down.

10 Michigan Roads With the Most Fatal Crashes

Based on fatal crash data from the past five years, these are the 10 Michigan roads where deadly accidents happen most often. This isn’t about total crashes or traffic volume, just where fatal crashes show up again and again across the state.

Gallery Credit: Tony LaBrie

12 Animals You Must Report If You Hit Them in Michigan

Ever hit an animal while driving in Michigan? Well, it turns out some of them need to be reported. We'll break down the animals you have to call in if you hit them. It’s not just about doing the right thing; it’s also about avoiding any legal issues.

So, who do you call? If you hit one of these animals, you’ll want to contact the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) or local law enforcement. If it’s an actual emergency, call 911; otherwise, just dial the non-emergency number. They’ll handle the situation and make sure everything's squared away. Just don’t forget to report it.

Gallery Credit: Tony LaBrie