ZIP 49008 (Kalamazoo, MI) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 49008: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Kalamazoo 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
0.0 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 2.3 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Kalamazoo County compares with Michigan
Kalamazoo County against Michigan and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Kalamazoo County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Kalamazoo County | Michigan | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 59.1 | 52.4 | 49.7 | 1.1× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 2.3 | 2.1 | 3.4 | 1.1× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.47 | 0.30 | 0.49 | 1.6× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 1.6% | 3.2% | 2.3% | 51% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 27.4% | 17.7% | 6.2% | 1.6× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 24.5% | 25.5% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 30.1% | 21.9% | 13.8% | 1.4× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 51.1% | 44.4% | 41.9% | 1.2× the state |
| After dark | 25.1% | 20.7% | 24.8% | 1.2× the state |
Compared with Michigan, Kalamazoo County is lower on garbage-truck share. Where it is higher: crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and injuries per crash.
What stands out in Kalamazoo County: 27.4% share of truck crashes on snow, slush or ice (Michigan: 17.7%).
Overview
Since 2015, 1,842 crashes involving commercial trucks have been reported in Kalamazoo County. They injured 841 people and killed 43.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 2 days.
When crashes happen
The worst month is January with 13.9% of truck crashes; the quietest is April at 5.9%.
The five winter months (November to March) hold 51.1% of truck crashes, against 44.4% across Michigan.
The busiest hour is 9–10 am, with 8.4% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 27.4% of truck crashes, compared with 17.7% in Michigan.
Where crashes happen
The deadliest road for trucks within 10 miles of ZIP 49008 is I-94, with 6 fatal large-truck crashes since 2015. It is followed by US-131 (2), CR-9TH St (1) and CR-PORTAGE Rd (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 28 crashes, 1.5% of the total, against 3.2% across Michigan.
Garbage-truck crashes peak in August (18% of them).
Deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes: 0.0, vs 2.3 for all truck crashes.
Route planning tips for ZIP 49008 fleets
- Review driver schedules for January, the month with the most truck crashes.
- Check whether your routes use I-94, the road with the most fatal truck crashes in this area.
- Waste haulers: August is the peak month for garbage-truck crashes in Kalamazoo County.
- Icy and snowy roads show up in 27.4% of truck crashes here, more than Michigan; schedule winter 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 Kalamazoo County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-94 | 6 |
| US-131 | 2 |
| CR-9TH St | 1 |
| CR-PORTAGE Rd | 1 |
| Maple Hill Dr | 1 |
| N 35th St | 1 |
| Park St | 1 |
| S Sprinkle Rd | 1 |
| Sr-I94/Us-131 Bl Stadium Dr | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Kalamazoo County) |
|---|---|
| I-94 | 333 |
| Sprinkle | 93 |
| US-131 | 78 |
| N Us 131 | 58 |
| S Us 131 | 47 |
| Michigan | 41 |
| Stadium | 39 |
| Westnedge | 38 |
ZIP 49008 at a glance
| Population | 16,137 |
| Density | 927 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $74,943 |
| Median home value | $217,703 |
| Home ownership | 66% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Kalamazoo 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 | 101 | — | 3.3 |
| 2000s | 110 | +9% | 1.8 |
| 2010s | 104 | -5% | 2.4 |
| 2020s | 167 | +60% | 2.6 |
In the 1990s about 101 truck crashes a year were reported; in the 2020s, about 167. Reporting coverage also changed between these periods. Fatal large-truck crashes: 1.2 a year in 2016–19, 2.6 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 49008
How many truck crashes happen in ZIP 49008?
Kalamazoo County has had 1,842 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 841 people and killing 43.
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in ZIP 49008?
I-94 had 6 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 49008 since 2015, more than any other road.
Which month has the most truck crashes in ZIP 49008?
Truck crashes in Kalamazoo County peak in January, with 13.9% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in ZIP 49008?
28 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Kalamazoo County since 2015, 1.5% of all truck crashes.
What is the truck crash rate in ZIP 49008 compared with Michigan?
Per 100,000 residents, Kalamazoo County has 59.1 truck crashes a year; Michigan has 52.4.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in ZIP 49008?
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.