Columbia Township, Van Buren County, MI truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Columbia Township, Van Buren County: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes in Columbia Township, Van Buren County and Van Buren County, dangerous roads, seasonality and route safety data for fleets. Patterns use Van Buren County numbers.
Where fatal truck crashes happened
Risk scorecard
Key findings
Snapshot
Crashes by month
Garbage trucks vs all trucks
15 of 1,053 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Van Buren County compares with Michigan
Van Buren County against Michigan and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Van Buren County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Van Buren County | Michigan | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 115.4 | 52.4 | 49.7 | 2.2× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 3.6 | 2.1 | 3.4 | 1.7× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.32 | 0.30 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 1.5% | 3.2% | 2.3% | 55% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 45.9% | 17.7% | 6.2% | 2.6× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 24.8% | 25.5% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 38.7% | 21.9% | 13.8% | 1.8× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 61.1% | 44.4% | 41.9% | 1.4× the state |
| After dark | 24.5% | 20.7% | 24.8% | 1.2× the state |
Compared with Michigan, Van Buren County is lower on garbage-truck share. It stands out for higher crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and on snow, slush or ice.
What stands out in Van Buren County: 45.9% on snowy, slushy or icy roads, against 17.7% across Michigan.
Overview
Police reported 1,053 crashes involving commercial trucks in Van Buren County since 2015: 345 people were injured and 36 were killed.
That averages about one truck crash every 4 days in fully reported years.
With 8 truck crashes reported in Columbia Township, Van Buren County since 2015, this page uses Van Buren County numbers for its patterns and comparisons.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in January (23.6% of the year) and are lowest in April (3.5%).
November through March accounts for 61.1% of truck crashes here, compared with 44.4% in Michigan.
More truck crashes happen at 9–10 am than at any other hour (9.8%).
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 45.9% of truck crashes, compared with 17.7% in Michigan.
Where crashes happen
Roads with fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of Columbia since 2015: SR-43 (1). No single road stands out.
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 15 crashes, 1.4% of the total, against 3.2% across Michigan.
Route planning tips for Columbia Township, Van Buren County fleets
- Plan January schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Van Buren County.
- 45.9% 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
Sources: the FMCSA crash file for all reported truck crashes and NHTSA FARS for fatal crashes with a large truck. Every statement here comes straight from those numbers.
Truck crashes by year: all trucks vs garbage trucks
Seasonality: when trucks crash in Van Buren County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| SR-43 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Van Buren County) |
|---|---|
| I-94 | 384 |
| I-196 | 52 |
| Red Arrow | 23 |
| Arlington | 8 |
| 46Th | 6 |
| County Road 687 | 6 |
| Main | 6 |
| Phoenix | 6 |
Columbia Township, Van Buren County at a glance
| Population | 2,554 |
| Land area | 33.9 sq mi |
| Density | 75 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP 49056) | $63,438 |
| Median home value (ZIP 49056) | $146,887 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Van Buren 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 | 52 | — | 1.7 |
| 2000s | 55 | +5% | 2.1 |
| 2010s | 79 | +44% | 1.6 |
| 2020s | 78 | -1% | 1.6 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 52 a year in the 1990s and 78 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 2.0 a year in 2016–19 and 1.6 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby places
Questions fleets ask about Columbia Township, Van Buren County
How many truck crashes happen in Columbia Township, Van Buren County?
Since 2015, 1,053 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Van Buren County (345 injured, 36 killed).
What is the worst month for truck crashes in Columbia Township, Van Buren County?
Truck crashes in Van Buren County peak in January, with 23.6% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in Columbia Township, Van Buren County?
15 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Van Buren County since 2015, 1.4% of all truck crashes.
How does Columbia Township, Van Buren County compare with Michigan for truck crashes?
Per 100,000 residents, Van Buren County has 115.4 truck crashes a year; Michigan has 52.4.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in Columbia Township, Van Buren County?
Use the free Route Planner: enter your stops to get a risk score, safer alternatives and the low bridges on your route.
2026 is a partial year. Updated October 2026.