Key Points of This Article:
- In Michigan, excessive speed is a factor in nearly 20% of all fatalities in motor vehicle crashes and 16% of suspected serious injuries.
- Drivers who speed are likely to have more aggressive driving habits that put other motorists, pedestrians, motorcyclists, and bicyclists at risk.
- The highest number of excessive speed crashes occur in Michigan when icy and snowy road conditions are present and, in some counties more than others, due to increased road traffic and congestion.
- Increased speed limits, distractions, and driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol all play leading roles in speed-related crashes.
Alcohol, Drugs, Distraction, and Congestion Lead to High Numbers of Speed-Related Crash Fatalities and Injuries Across Michigan
Speed-related crashes contribute significantly to increased road deaths and injuries to Michigan drivers each year. In 2018, there were 31,003 crashes involving speeding, which accounted for 9.9% of all crashes, according to Michigan State Police. And of the 875 motor vehicle drivers involved in fatal crashes where a hazardous action occurred, excessive speed was reported by police 20% of the time.
Here is a list of the top 25 Michigan counties and popular communities where speed remains a significant accident risk factor.
#1. Wayne (822 speed-related crashes)
Cities and communities: Allen Park, Belleville, Dearborn Heights, Dearborn, Detroit, Grosse Pointe, Highland Park, Livonia, Riverview, Southgate, Taylor, Trenton, Wayne, and Woodhaven.
#2. Kent (310 speed-related crashes)
Cities and communities: Grand Rapids, Kentwood, Rockford, Lowell, Kent City, Sparta, Walker, and Grandville.
#3. Oakland (229 speed-related crashes)
Cities and communities: Auburn Hills, Berkley, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Clarkston, Clawson, Farmington, Farmington Hills, Southfield, and Troy.
#4. Washtenaw (157 speed-related crashes)
Cities and communities: Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Dexter, Milan, Saline, and Ypsilanti.
#5. Kalamazoo (148 speed-related crashes)
Cities and communities: Augusta, Climax, Fulton, Galesburg, Kalamazoo, Nazareth, Portage, and Richland.
#6. Genesee (147 speed-related crashes)
Cities and communities: Burton, Clio, Davison, Fenton, Flint, Flushing, Grand Blanc, and Linden.
#7. Macomb (134 speed-related crashes)
Cities and communities: Center Line, Eastpoint (East Detroit), Fraser, Grosse Point Shores, Memphis, Mount Clemens, New Baltimore, Richmond, Roseville, St. Clair Shores, Sterling Heights, Utica, and Warren.
#8. Ingham (115 speed-related crashes)
Cities and communities: East Lansing, Lansing, Leslie, Mason, and Williamston.
#9. Muskegon (111 speed-related crashes)
Cities and communities: Casnovia, Fruitport, Montagues, Muskegon Heights, Muskegon, North Muskegon, Norton Shores, Ravenna, Roosevelt Park, and Whitehall.
#10. Saginaw (110 speed-related crashes)
Cities and communities: Birch Run, Chesaning, Frankenmuth, Saginaw, Oakley, St. Charles, and Zilwaukee.
#11. Calhoun (107 speed-related crashes)
Cities and communities: Albion, Athens, Battle Creek, Burlington, Marshall, Springfield, and Union City.
#12. Ottawa (97 speed-related crashes)
Cities and communities: Big Spring, Coopersville, Ferrysburg, Grand Haven, and Spring Lake.
#13. Jackson (94 speed-related crashes)
Cities and communities: Brooklyn, Cement City, Concord, Grass Lake, Jackson, Hanover, Parma, and Springport.
#14. Montcalm (91 speed-related crashes)
Cities and communities: Carson City, Edmore, Howard City, Greenville, Lakeview, and Stanton.
#15. Van Buren (88 speed-related crashes)
Cities and communities: Bangor, Bloomingdale, Breedsville, Covert, Decatur, Gobles, Grand Junction, and Hartford.
#16. Berrien (87 speed-related crashes)
Cities and communities: Benton Harbor, Bridgman, Buchanan, Coloma, New Buffalo, Niles, St. Joseph, and Watervliet.
#17. St. Clair (86 speed-related crashes)
Cities and communities: Algonac, Marine City, Marysville, Memphis, Port Huron, Richmond, St. Clair, and Yale.
#18. Eaton (85 speed-related crashes)
Cities and communities: Bellevue, Charlotte, Dimondale, Eaton Rapids, Grand Ledge, Lansing, Olivet, Potterville, Sunfield, Vermontville, and Waverly.
#19. Allegan (80 speed-related crashes)
Cities and communities: Allegan, Bradley, Burnips, Dorr, Douglas, Fennville, Glenn, Hamilton, Hopkins, Martin, Moline, Otsego, Plainwell, Pullman, Saugatuck, and Shelbyville.
#20. Livingston (79 speed-related crashes)
Cities and communities: Brighton, Cohoctah, Fowlerville, Gregory, Hamburg, Hartland, Howell, and Lakeland.
#21. Grand Traverse (77 speed-related crashes)
Cities and communities: Acme, Grawn, Interlochen, Kingsley, Mayfield, Traverse City, and Williamsburg.
#22. Newaygo (71 speed-related crashes)
Cities and communities: Fremont, Grant, Newaygo, and White Cloud.
#23. St. Joseph (71 speed-related crashes)
Cities and communities: Burr Oak, Centreville, Colon, Constantine, Leonidas, Mendon, Nottawa, and Sturgis.
#24. Cass (66 speed-related crashes)
Cities and communities: Adamsville, Calvin Center, Cassopolis, Dowagiac, Edwardsburg, Glenwood, Jones, La Grange, Marcellus, and Vandalia.
#25. Lenawee (65 speed-related crashes)
Cities and communities: Adrian, Hudson, Morenci, and Tecumseh.
Take extra care in these Michigan communities listed, and work to become more aware of your driving habits. The majority of single motor vehicle crashes are the most common crash type associated with speed-involved crashes at 71.2%. Always drive the posted speed limit, stay sober, be alert, and never distracted, and follow the road rules like traveling in the right lane if the speed feels uncomfortable or, better yet – take an alternative route or ask others to drive you to your destination.
Do Increased Speed Limits Cause More Speed-Related Accidents?
Although the rise in speed limits has gained popularity over the last three decades by 41 U.S. states, more lives are being lost due to the mph increases, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association. Michigan raised speed limits to 75 mph on some highways back in 2017 charged by Public Acts 445, 446, and 447. The increase impacted 900 miles of non-freeways in Michigan to 65 mph, and on 600 miles of freeways to 75 mph, supported at the time by speed, engineering, and safety studies.
Routes with increases to 75 included several of the top 25 counties we listed, including:
- I-69: Clinton, Shiawassee, Genesee, Lapeer, and St. Clair Counties (84 total miles)
- I-75: Bay, Arenac, Ogemaw, Roscommon, Crawford, Otsego, Cheboygan, Emmet, Mackinac, and Chippewa Counties (225 total miles)
- US-10: Clare, Isabella, Midland, and Bay Counties (57 total miles)
- US-31: Oceana and Mason Counties (37 total miles)
- US-127: Clinton, Gratiot, Isabella, Clare, Roscommon, and Crawford Counties (116 total miles)
- US-131: Kent, Montcalm, Mecosta, Osceola, and Wexford Counties (95 total miles)
While studies led by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows that raising speed limits over the past 25 years has cost nearly 37,000 lives, including more than 1,900 in 2017 alone, increased speed limits are not the only explanation for high crash rates. Increased traffic congestion, aggressive drivers, distractions, and driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol all play contributing roles in the causes behind speed-related wrecks.
Were You Hurt in an Accident Caused by a Speeding Driver? Contact a Michigan Car Accident Injury Attorney Today.
If you or a family member was injured in an accident caused by a reckless driver, be sure to seek a car accident attorney’s qualified advice before discussing anything with an insurance company. The Lee Steinberg Law Firm, P.C., has been representing accident victims for over 40 years, and we can help you through this challenging and stressful time.
There is no reason to delay reaching out for help. Call us today for a free consultation about your potential case at 1-800-LEE-FREE.
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