ZIP 48870 (Palo, MI) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 48870: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Ionia County, 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
9 of 683 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Ionia County compares with Michigan
Ionia County against Michigan and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Ionia County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Ionia County | Michigan | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 84.1 | 52.4 | 49.7 | 1.6× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 3.3 | 2.1 | 3.4 | 1.6× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.24 | 0.30 | 0.49 | 20% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 1.3% | 3.2% | 2.3% | 59% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 28.1% | 17.7% | 6.2% | 1.6× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 24.0% | 25.5% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 25.4% | 21.9% | 13.8% | 1.2× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 48.1% | 44.4% | 41.9% | 1.1× the state |
| After dark | 25.8% | 20.7% | 24.8% | 1.2× the state |
Compared with Michigan, Ionia County is lower on injuries per crash and 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 Ionia County: 1 in 76 of truck crashes here involve garbage trucks: 1.3%, vs 3.2% in Michigan.
Overview
Ionia County has recorded 683 truck crashes since 2015, with 174 people injured and 21 killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 7 days.
When crashes happen
January has the most truck crashes, 13.6% of the yearly total, while May has the fewest (5.7%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 48.1% of truck crashes, vs 44.4% for Michigan.
By time of day, 10–11 am stands out with 8.3% of truck crashes.
Road surface: 28.1% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (Michigan: 17.7%).
Where crashes happen
Roads with fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 48870 since 2015: CR-HOLLAND Lake Rd (1). No single road stands out.
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 9 of the truck crashes here, or 1.3%, compared with 3.2% in Michigan.
Route planning tips for ZIP 48870 fleets
- Plan January schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Ionia County.
- With 28.1% of truck crashes on snow, slush or ice (above Michigan), plan winter equipment checks early.
- 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 Ionia County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| CR-HOLLAND Lake Rd | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Ionia County) |
|---|---|
| I-96 | 233 |
| State | 48 |
| Grand River | 18 |
| Bluewater | 14 |
| Dexter | 13 |
| Belding | 10 |
| David | 9 |
| Lincoln | 9 |
ZIP 48870 at a glance
| Population | 194 |
| Density | 1,198 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $34,290 |
| Home ownership | 100% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Ionia 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 | 22 | — | 0.8 |
| 2000s | 31 | +39% | 1.1 |
| 2010s | 34 | +12% | 0.6 |
| 2020s | 64 | +84% | 1.4 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 22 a year in the 1990s and 64 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 0.8 a year in 2016–19 and 1.4 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 48870
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 48870?
683 truck crashes have been reported in Ionia County since 2015, with 21 deaths and 174 injuries.
When do most truck crashes happen in ZIP 48870?
January has the most truck crashes in Ionia County, 13.6% of the yearly total.
Are garbage truck crashes common in ZIP 48870?
9 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Ionia County since 2015, 1.3% of all truck crashes.
How does ZIP 48870 compare with Michigan for truck crashes?
Ionia County records 84.1 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 52.4 across Michigan.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in ZIP 48870?
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.