Beware of Southeast Michigan’s Most Dangerous Intersections!

A few years back we informed readers about the most hazardous places for traffic accidents of all kinds across the state. We included details on where you’re most likely to be involved in crashes – whether you’re driving a car, truck or SUV, riding on a motorcycle or bicycle, or even walking to work or school. Since it’s been a while, we thought it might be helpful – and perhaps even save some lives – to update that information based on the most current data available (which was last updated at the end of 2022). So, here’s the latest report to help you stay safe. Many thanks to the Michigan State Police Office of Highway Safety Planning for providing access to their accident statistics database, which we utilized in conducting this analysis.

Most Dangerous Roads for Passenger Cars, SUVs, and Vans.

Crashes totaled 261,071 statewide in 2022 of which 47,972 were in Wayne County, 21,519 in Oakland County, 21,373 in Macomb County, 8,629 in Washtenaw County, and 4,202 in Livingston County. As they have been in prior years, Wayne County’s hotspots were I-75 and the Davidson Expressway, and the interchange where I-94 and I-75 intersect, but a new emerging hotspot is the intersection of Renaissance Drive and Randolph in downtown Detroit. In Oakland County, a large number of accidents are concentrated along I-696 near I-75, and also I-696 at the Woodward Avenue interchange. Macomb County sees numerous collisions along M-59 where it intersects with Van Dyke Avenue and Schoenherr Road, as well as at the M-59 interchange with M-53. While there are fewer overall crashes in Livingston County, one hotspot is the area around West Grand River Avenue and I-96. The same holds true for Washtenaw County, though downtown Ann Arbor sees more than its share of accidents, especially around East Huron and South Division Streets.

Most Dangerous Roads for Pickups, Small Trucks, and Semis.

Sadly, 69,725 accidents involving pickup trucks, small trucks under 10,000 lbs., and large semis occurred statewide in 2022, with the most in Wayne County (9,435) followed by Oakland (7,441) and Macomb (5,754). In Wayne County, the worst spots were I-94 east of the Woodward Avenue interchange and the complicated cloverleaf where I-75 and I-94 connect. Oakland County saw the highest number of accidents along I-75 near 14 Mile Road. Macomb County’s most dangerous areas for truck accidents are at the intersection of M-53 and M-59, and where I-94 meets 12 Mile Road, along with another danger zone – the M-53 and Van Dyke Avenue interchange.

Most Dangerous Roads for Motorcycles.

There were 3,158 motorcycle crashes statewide in 2022, of which 499 were in Wayne County. The next highest numbers were in Oakland County with 255 and Macomb County with 230. Drilling down into the details, we saw that the highest concentration of motorcycle accidents in Wayne County took place around the intersections of I-94 at both Gratiot and Van Dyke. In Oakland County, Woodward at 12 Mile Road had a significant number of motorcycle crashes. Macomb County saw a high number of motorcycle accidents along Ryan Road north of 14 Mile. Statewide, other motorcycle accidents were more widely scattered, but it pays to watch out for intersections, and especially crossings where unpaved roads are likely to spread gravel onto nearby paved surfaces.

Most Dangerous Roads for Bicyclists.

The year 2022 saw 1,340 bicycle accidents statewide, of which 294 happened in Wayne County (around double the number of the next highest county – Oakland – at 158). The greatest concentration of bicycle accidents was once again recorded around Wayne State University, with many along Woodward Avenue near Warren Avenue.

Most Dangerous Roads for Pedestrians.

Maybe it’s the constant distractions posed by cell phones despite Michigan’s recent decision to ban holding them behind the wheel, but it seems that even walking can be more dangerous these days. The Michigan State Police reported 1,897 pedestrian accidents statewide in 2022 of which 632 were in Wayne County, followed by 163 each in both Oakland County and Kent County, and 134 in Macomb County. For Wayne County walkers, both Cass Avenue and Woodward Avenue from Wayne State University south through downtown Detroit posed significant risks. The highest concentration of pedestrian accidents in Oakland County appeared to take place in downtown Royal Oak, mostly south of 11 Mile Road along Main Street.

Most Dangerous Places of All.

Last year, there were a whopping 293,341 combined collisions of all types across Michigan, with the highest total incidence in Wayne County at 50,697, followed by Oakland County at 34,185, and Macomb County at 22,628. Regardless of where you’re traveling in Michigan, no interstate expressway, divided highway, two-lane road, or even solitary subdivision cul-de-sac is entirely safe, but you’re certainly less likely to get injured if you avoid highly traveled roads and stay away from the accident-prone intersections we’ve listed in this article.

Meanwhile, if you’re looking for the spots where you’re most likely of all to become involved in an accident, a Detroit newspaper narrowed it down still further in a recent article highlighting several specific intersections across Michigan known to present the greatest risk for collisions. The top five on the list were “the usual suspects” — places known by locals to be regular automobile accident danger zones. And several of them are roundabouts, which are ironically supposed to be safer than traditional intersections in which traffic flow is controlled by stoplights. So let’s have a drum roll, please, for this list of the state’s most crash sites:

• 11 Mile Road/I-696 at Van Dyke Avenue, Warren – 207 crashes, 41 injuries
• Schoolcraft Road at Telegraph Road, Redford – 126 crashes, 30 injuries
• Martin Parkway at North Pontiac Trail, Commerce Township – 126 crashes, 13 injuries
• 18-½ Mile Road at Van Dyke Avenue, Sterling Heights – 118 crashes, 10 injuries
• Telegraph Road at 12 Mile Road, Southfield – 110 crashes, 30 injuries

Hopefully knowing the locations of these risky spots will help keep you from becoming an accident statistic. But if fate intervenes, and you ever do find yourself the innocent victim of a careless driver, you’ll know where to go for professional representation: the personal injury attorneys at Mike Morse Law Firm. We’re just a click or a phone call away, and we’re ready to help you whenever and wherever you need us. Remember our number: 855-MIKE-WINS (855-645-3946). But let’s hope we don’t meet by accident!

Content checked by Mike Morse, personal injury attorney with Mike Morse Injury Law Firm. Mike Morse is the founder of Mike Morse Law Firm, the largest personal injury law firm in Michigan. Since being founded in 1995, Mike Morse Law Firm has grown to 150 employees, served 25,000 clients, and collected more than $1 billion for victims of auto, truck and motorcycle accidents. The main office is in Southfield, MI but you can also find us in Detroit, Sterling Heights and many other locations.