Fatal Roads

States › Michigan › 2018

2018

Michigan · year

Michigan in 2018

Deaths 977Fatal crashes 907Per 100,000 9.8US deaths 36,835

FARS data are based on police crash reports and other sources; the drunk-driving measure is based on the highest BAC of any driver in the crash. Final FARS file for 2018.

In 2018, 977 people died in 907 fatal crashes in Michigan, 9.8 deaths per 100,000 residents against 11.3 nationally.

The death toll fell 5% from 1,031 in 2017 to 977 in 2018.

Michigan accounted for 2.7% of the 36,835 crash deaths recorded nationally that year.

29.5% of the state's fatal crashes that year had at least one driver reported as drinking.

By FHWA road function class, the largest share was on other principal arterial roads (27%).

32% of the crashes happened between 6pm to midnight; Sunday was the most common day.

Compared with 2017 and the nation

MeasureMichigan 2018Michigan 2017United States 2018
Deaths9771,03136,835
Fatal crashes90794033,919
Deaths per 100,000 residents9.810.311.3
Crashes with a drinking driver30%33%26%

Counties in 2018

Every county with a fatal crash in 2018, by deaths. Counts under three are shown as "1–2" (small-count rule); the per-100,000 column is blank for them. 79 counties listed.

CountyFatal crashesDeathsPer 100,000Deaths 2015–2024
Wayne County1531649.31,948
Kent County61659.7607
Oakland County53544.2667
Macomb County52536.0558
Genesee County394310.7497
Kalamazoo County283011.3310
Monroe County253019.2202
Washtenaw County25277.2282
Saginaw County252613.9204
Ottawa County23268.5210
Eaton County172220.1147
Berrien County182013.1191
St. Joseph County172032.7116
Jackson County151710.6206
Muskegon County16169.0203
St. Clair County161610.0208
Allegan County151613.1167
Lapeer County151516.8119
Ingham County14155.2228
Calhoun County141410.5220
Montcalm County131420.2130
Livingston County12136.6170
Clinton County121215.086
Hillsdale County111226.360
Van Buren County101215.8146
Bay County111110.7119
Tuscola County101120.979
Newaygo County9917.597
Cass County8917.5115
Clare County8928.758
Midland County889.588
Shiawassee County8811.890
Barry County7812.585
Iosco County6831.540
Marquette County7710.350
Mason County7724.158
Isabella County6710.8107
Grand Traverse County666.2111
Lenawee County666.1148
Wexford County5617.462
Ionia County557.584
Kalkaska County5526.936
Mackinac County5544.931
Sanilac County5512.460
Chippewa County4513.838
Roscommon County4520.958
Delta County4410.943
Manistee County4415.735
Ogemaw County4419.148
Benzie County3421.633
Emmet County3411.838
Leelanau County3417.533
Osceola County3417.047
Branch County336.554
Gratiot County337.361
Houghton County337.929
Mecosta County337.248
Dickinson County1–2311.534
Gladwin County1–2311.529
Antrim County1–21–2—33
Arenac County1–21–2—43
Baraga County1–21–2—15
Crawford County1–21–2—17
Gogebic County1–21–2—11
Huron County1–21–2—42
Lake County1–21–2—18
Oscoda County1–21–2—27
Charlevoix County1–21–2—29
Alpena County1–21–2—22
Cheboygan County1–21–2—31
Keweenaw County1–21–2—3
Menominee County1–21–2—31
Missaukee County1–21–2—21
Montmorency County1–21–2—6
Oceana County1–21–2—36
Ontonagon County1–21–2—13
Otsego County1–21–2—43
Presque Isle County1–21–2—18
Schoolcraft County1–21–2—14

Per 100,000 uses the 2024 population estimate for every year, so early-year rates are understated where a county has grown.

Hour of day

12am4.4%
1am3.5%
2am4.2%
3am2.8%
4am2.4%
5am3.2%
6am3%
7am3.6%
8am1.8%
9am2.1%
10am3.5%
11am5%
12pm4.1%
1pm4.5%
2pm4.6%
3pm6%
4pm4%
5pm5.6%
6pm5.1%
7pm5%
8pm5.8%
9pm6%
10pm5.1%
11pm4.7%

Weekday

Sunday17%
Monday13%
Tuesday13%
Wednesday12%
Thursday12%
Friday16%
Saturday17%

Road type

Other principal arterial27%
Minor arterial25%
Major collector20%
Local12%
Interstate10%
Other freeways and expressways4%
Minor collector2%

Questions and answers

How many people died in crashes in Michigan in 2018?

977 people in 907 fatal crashes, according to NHTSA's FARS 2018 file, or 9.8 per 100,000 residents.

Which county in Michigan had the most crash deaths in 2018?

Wayne County with 164 deaths in 153 fatal crashes. The table on this page lists every county with a fatal crash that year.

How did 2018 compare with 2017 in Michigan?

977 deaths against 1,031 in 2017 (+-5%). Nationally the 2018 total was 36,835.

Provenance

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2018 national file (accident table, vehicle and person tables); US Census Bureau population estimates. Data through 31 Dec 2024; generated 30 Sep 2026.