Oakland County, MI truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Oakland 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
1.2 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 0.9 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Oakland County compares with Michigan
Oakland County against Michigan and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Oakland County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Oakland County | Michigan | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 40.3 | 52.4 | 49.7 | 23% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 0.9 | 2.1 | 3.4 | 57% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.29 | 0.30 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 4.4% | 3.2% | 2.3% | 1.4× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 10.6% | 17.7% | 6.2% | 40% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 27.6% | 25.5% | 23.7% | 1.1× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 15.7% | 21.9% | 13.8% | 28% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 39.3% | 44.4% | 41.9% | 11% below the state |
| After dark | 17.1% | 20.7% | 24.8% | 17% below the state |
Compared with Michigan, Oakland County is lower on crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and on snow, slush or ice. Where it is higher: garbage-truck share and morning rush (6–10 am).
Oakland County at a glance: I-696 most fatal truck crashes in Oakland County: 6 since 2015.
Overview
Oakland County has recorded 6,145 truck crashes since 2015, with 1,773 people injured and 59 killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about 1 truck crash a day.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in July (9.6% of the year) and are lowest in April (6.9%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 39.3% of truck crashes, against 44.4% across Michigan.
By time of day, 9–10 am stands out with 8.5% of truck crashes.
Road surface: 10.6% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (Michigan: 17.7%).
Where crashes happen
I-696 leads in Oakland County with 6 fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015. After it: US-24 (4), I-75 (3) and Beck Rd (2).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 267 of the truck crashes here, or 4.3%, compared with 3.2% in Michigan.
The most garbage-truck crashes happen in January (11%).
Deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes: 1.2, vs 0.9 for all truck crashes.
Route planning tips for Oakland County fleets
- Plan July schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Oakland County.
- Where you can, review stops along I-696; it has the most fatal large-truck crashes nearby.
- Garbage-truck crashes here peak in January; review collection routes for that month.
- The morning rush (6–10 am) holds 27.6% of truck crashes here, more than Michigan; adjust start times where you can.
- 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 Oakland County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (in Oakland County) |
|---|---|
| I-696 | 6 |
| US-24 | 4 |
| I-75 | 3 |
| Beck Rd | 2 |
| CR-LONG Lake Rd | 2 |
| SR-10 | 2 |
| SR-24 | 2 |
| SR-59 | 2 |
| CR-AIRPORT Rd | 1 |
| CR-DIXIE Hwy | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Oakland County) |
|---|---|
| I-75 | 539 |
| I-696 | 350 |
| Mile | 320 |
| Telegraph | 316 |
| I-96 | 232 |
| Lapeer | 176 |
| Woodward | 136 |
| Highland | 122 |
Oakland County at a glance
| Population | 1,296,888 |
| Land area | 867.4 sq mi |
| Density | 1,495 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP average) | $107,326 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Oakland 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 | 385 | — | 7.5 |
| 2000s | 408 | +6% | 6.5 |
| 2010s | 355 | -13% | 4.0 |
| 2020s | 558 | +57% | 3.8 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 385 to 558. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. NHTSA counts 3.8 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 3.8 a year in 2020–24.
Cities, towns & communities in Oakland County
ZIP codes in Oakland County
Nearby counties
Questions fleets ask about Oakland County
How many truck accidents are there in Oakland County?
Oakland County has had 6,145 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 1,773 people and killing 59.
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in Oakland County?
NHTSA data shows I-696 with 6 fatal large-truck crashes in Oakland County since 2015, the highest of any road.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in Oakland County?
The worst month is July: 9.6% of truck crashes in Oakland County happen then.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in Oakland County?
267 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Oakland County since 2015, 4.3% of all truck crashes.
How does Oakland County compare with Michigan for truck crashes?
Per 100,000 residents, Oakland County has 40.3 truck crashes a year; Michigan has 52.4.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in Oakland County?
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.