Howard, MI truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Howard: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes in Howard and Cass County, dangerous roads, seasonality and route safety data for fleets. Patterns use Cass County numbers.
Where fatal truck crashes happened
Risk scorecard
Key findings
Snapshot
Crashes by month
Garbage trucks vs all trucks
19 of 289 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Cass County compares with Michigan
Cass County against Michigan and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Cass County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Cass County | Michigan | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 46.2 | 52.4 | 49.7 | 12% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 3.1 | 2.1 | 3.4 | 1.5× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.32 | 0.30 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 7.2% | 3.2% | 2.3% | 2.3× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 19.5% | 17.7% | 6.2% | 1.1× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 24.4% | 25.5% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 22.1% | 21.9% | 13.8% | same |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 46.9% | 44.4% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 16.0% | 20.7% | 24.8% | 22% below the state |
Compared with Michigan, Cass County is lower on crashes per 100k residents / yr and after dark. It stands out for higher deaths per 100 crashes, garbage-truck share and on snow, slush or ice.
What stands out in Cass County: 1 in 14 garbage-truck share of crashes is 7.2%, against 3.2% for Michigan.
Overview
Cass County has recorded 289 truck crashes since 2015, with 91 people injured and 9 killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 15 days.
With 27 truck crashes reported in Howard since 2015, this page uses Cass County numbers for its patterns and comparisons.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in January (11.8% of the year) and are lowest in February (5.2%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 46.9% of truck crashes, vs 44.4% for Michigan.
By time of day, 10–11 am stands out with 10.0% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 19.5% of truck crashes, compared with 17.7% in Michigan.
Where crashes happen
The deadliest road for trucks within 10 miles of Howard is I-80, with 4 fatal large-truck crashes since 2015. It is followed by CR-REDFIELD St (2), SR-51 (2) and SR-60 (2).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 19 crashes, 6.6% of the total, against 3.2% across Michigan.
Route planning tips for Howard fleets
- Review driver schedules for January, the month with the most truck crashes.
- Check whether your routes use I-80, the road with the most fatal truck crashes in this area.
- 19.5% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice, above Michigan; plan winter equipment checks before the season.
- Check your own stops for crash hotspots and low bridges with the free Route Planner.
About the data
This report uses the FMCSA crash file (reported crashes of trucks over 10,000 lb) and NHTSA FARS (fatal crashes). It reports the numbers without guessing at reasons.
Truck crashes by year: all trucks vs garbage trucks
Seasonality: when trucks crash in Cass County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-80 | 4 |
| CR-REDFIELD St | 2 |
| SR-51 | 2 |
| SR-60 | 2 |
| US-12 | 2 |
| CR-RANGELINE Rd | 1 |
| CR-ROBINSON Rd | 1 |
| Mu-Auten Rd | 1 |
| SR-23W | 1 |
| SR-933N | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Cass County) |
|---|---|
| US-12 | 54 |
| Redfield | 11 |
| Decatur | 7 |
| Barron Lake | 6 |
| Marcellus | 6 |
| Main | 5 |
| Calvin Center | 4 |
| Front | 4 |
Howard at a glance
| Population | 6,246 |
| Land area | 34.5 sq mi |
| Density | 181 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP 49120) | $65,148 |
| Median home value (ZIP 49120) | $180,414 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Cass 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 | 18 | — | 2.0 |
| 2000s | 20 | +12% | 1.2 |
| 2010s | 20 | -0% | 0.9 |
| 2020s | 22 | +9% | 1.0 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 18 a year in the 1990s and 22 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. NHTSA counts 0.8 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 1.0 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby places
Questions fleets ask about Howard
How common are truck crashes in Howard?
289 truck crashes have been reported in Cass County since 2015, with 9 deaths and 91 injuries.
What is the most dangerous road for trucks in Howard?
Since 2015, I-80 has had the most fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of Howard: 4.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in Howard?
January has the most truck crashes in Cass County, 11.8% of the yearly total.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in Howard?
19 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Cass County since 2015, 6.6% of all truck crashes.
How does Howard compare with Michigan for truck crashes?
Cass County records 46.2 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 52.4 across Michigan.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in Howard?
The free Route Planner takes your stops and returns a route risk score, safer alternatives and low-bridge warnings.
2026 is a partial year. Updated October 2026.