Mecosta County, MI truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Mecosta County: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes, dangerous roads, seasonality and route safety data for fleets.
Where fatal truck crashes happened
Risk scorecard
Key findings
Snapshot
Crashes by month
Garbage trucks vs all trucks
4 of 213 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Mecosta County compares with Michigan
Mecosta County against Michigan and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Mecosta County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Mecosta County | Michigan | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 42.7 | 52.4 | 49.7 | 19% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 2.0 | 2.1 | 3.4 | same |
| Injuries per crash | 0.21 | 0.30 | 0.49 | 30% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 1.5% | 3.2% | 2.3% | 53% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 28.9% | 17.7% | 6.2% | 1.6× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 26.9% | 25.5% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 24.4% | 21.9% | 13.8% | 1.1× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 52.8% | 44.4% | 41.9% | 1.2× the state |
| After dark | 25.9% | 20.7% | 24.8% | 1.3× the state |
Compared with Michigan, Mecosta County is lower on crashes per 100k residents / yr, injuries per crash and garbage-truck share. Where it is higher: on snow, slush or ice, in rain, sleet or snow and winter months (nov–mar).
What stands out in Mecosta County: January 16.0% of truck crashes happen in January, more than any other month.
Overview
Police reported 213 crashes involving commercial trucks in Mecosta County since 2015: 44 people were injured and 4 were killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 20 days.
When crashes happen
The worst month is January with 16.0% of truck crashes; the quietest is June at 3.8%.
The five winter months (November to March) hold 52.8% of truck crashes, against 44.4% across Michigan.
By time of day, 9–10 am stands out with 8.9% of truck crashes.
28.9% of truck crashes here happened on snow, slush or ice, against 17.7% across Michigan.
Where crashes happen
Fatal large-truck crashes in Mecosta County since 2015 were spread across roads: US-131 (3).
Garbage & waste trucks
4 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 1.9% share (Michigan: 3.2%).
Route planning tips for Mecosta County fleets
- Review driver schedules for January, the month with the most truck crashes.
- With 28.9% of truck crashes on snow, slush or ice (above Michigan), plan winter equipment checks early.
- Use the free Route Planner to score your route and spot low bridges before drivers head out.
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 Mecosta County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (in Mecosta County) |
|---|---|
| US-131 | 3 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Mecosta County) |
|---|---|
| US-131 | 52 |
| Northland | 24 |
| Mile | 20 |
| S Us 131 | 15 |
| N Us 131 | 14 |
| 30Th | 13 |
| State | 7 |
| Perry | 5 |
Mecosta County at a glance
| Population | 41,947 |
| Land area | 555.2 sq mi |
| Density | 76 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP average) | $60,235 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Mecosta 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 | 10 | — | 0.9 |
| 2000s | 12 | +22% | 0.6 |
| 2010s | 12 | -3% | 0.1 |
| 2020s | 19 | +60% | 0.4 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 10 to 19. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 0.2 a year in 2016–19 and 0.4 a year in 2020–24.
Cities, towns & communities in Mecosta County
ZIP codes in Mecosta County
Nearby counties
Questions fleets ask about Mecosta County
How many truck crashes happen in Mecosta County?
213 truck crashes have been reported in Mecosta County since 2015, with 4 deaths and 44 injuries.
When do most truck crashes happen in Mecosta County?
The worst month is January: 16.0% of truck crashes in Mecosta County happen then.
Are garbage truck crashes common in Mecosta County?
4 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Mecosta County since 2015, 1.9% of all truck crashes.
What is the truck crash rate in Mecosta County compared with Michigan?
Mecosta County records 42.7 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 52.4 across Michigan.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in Mecosta County?
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.