Bendon, MI truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Bendon: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes in Bendon and Benzie County, dangerous roads, seasonality and route safety data for fleets. Patterns use Benzie County numbers.
Where fatal truck crashes happened
Risk scorecard
Key findings
Snapshot
Crashes by month
Garbage trucks vs all trucks
1 of 65 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Benzie County compares with Michigan
Benzie County against Michigan and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Benzie County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Benzie County | Michigan | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 29.0 | 52.4 | 49.7 | 45% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 6.8 | 2.1 | 3.4 | 3.2× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.20 | 0.30 | 0.49 | 33% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 1.7% | 3.2% | 2.3% | 48% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 37.3% | 17.7% | 6.2% | 2.1× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 30.5% | 25.5% | 23.7% | 1.2× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 30.5% | 21.9% | 13.8% | 1.4× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 50.8% | 44.4% | 41.9% | 1.1× the state |
| After dark | 11.9% | 20.7% | 24.8% | 43% below the state |
Benzie County has lower values than Michigan for crashes per 100k residents / yr, injuries per crash and garbage-truck share. Where it is higher: deaths per 100 crashes, on snow, slush or ice and morning rush (6–10 am).
The headline for Benzie County: 6.8 deaths per 100 truck crashes, vs 2.1 in Michigan.
Overview
Benzie County has recorded 65 truck crashes since 2015, with 15 people injured and 4 killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 68 days.
With 0 truck crashes reported in Bendon since 2015, this page uses Benzie County numbers for its patterns and comparisons.
When crashes happen
The worst month is January with 18.5% of truck crashes; the quietest is March at 1.5%.
The five winter months (November to March) hold 50.8% of truck crashes, against 44.4% across Michigan.
By time of day, 11 am–12 pm stands out with 21.5% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 37.3% of truck crashes, compared with 17.7% in Michigan.
Where crashes happen
Within this area, US-31 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (4). Next come CR-SOUTH Long Lake Rd (1) and US-41 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 1 crash, 1.5% of the total, against 3.2% across Michigan.
Route planning tips for Bendon fleets
- Plan January schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Benzie County.
- Look at alternatives to US-31 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- The morning rush (6–10 am) holds 30.5% of truck crashes here, more than Michigan; adjust start times where you can.
- 37.3% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice, above Michigan; plan winter equipment checks before the season.
- Use the free Route Planner to score your route and spot low bridges before drivers head out.
About the data
Crash counts come from the FMCSA crash file (police-reported crashes involving trucks over 10,000 lb); fatal-crash locations come from NHTSA FARS. Text on this page states only what these numbers show.
Truck crashes by year: all trucks vs garbage trucks
Seasonality: when trucks crash in Benzie County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| US-31 | 4 |
| CR-SOUTH Long Lake Rd | 1 |
| US-41 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Benzie County) |
|---|---|
| Honor | 15 |
| Reynolds | 6 |
| Lake Ann | 4 |
| US-31 | 3 |
| Pioneer | 3 |
| Cadillac | 2 |
| Cinder | 2 |
| Crystal | 2 |
Bendon at a glance
| Land area | 2.0 sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP 49643) | $81,222 |
| Median home value (ZIP 49643) | $268,900 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Benzie County since the 1990s
Combines the FMCSA crash file (all reported truck crashes, real coverage from about 1990) with NHTSA FARS (fatal crashes involving a large truck, 1982–2024).
| Decade | Truck crashes / yr | Change | Fatal crashes / yr (FARS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 3 | — | 0.2 |
| 2000s | 4 | +43% | 0.2 |
| 2010s | 4 | -15% | 0.2 |
| 2020s | 6 | +71% | 0.4 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 3 to 6. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. Fatal large-truck crashes: 0.2 a year in 2016–19, 0.4 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby places
Questions fleets ask about Bendon
How many truck crashes happen in Bendon?
65 truck crashes have been reported in Benzie County since 2015, with 4 deaths and 15 injuries.
What is the most dangerous road for trucks in Bendon?
US-31 had 4 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of Bendon since 2015, more than any other road.
When do most truck crashes happen in Bendon?
The worst month is January: 18.5% of truck crashes in Benzie County happen then.
Are garbage truck crashes common in Bendon?
Garbage trucks were involved in 1 reported crash in Benzie County since 2015 (1.5% of truck crashes).
How does Bendon compare with Michigan for truck crashes?
Per 100,000 residents, Benzie County has 29.0 truck crashes a year; Michigan has 52.4.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in Bendon?
Paste your stops into the free CurbWaste Route Planner: it scores your route against fatal-crash locations, suggests safer alternatives and flags low bridges.
2026 is a partial year. Updated October 2026.