ZIP 49043 (Covert, MI) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 49043: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Van Buren 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
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 |
Van Buren County has lower values than Michigan for garbage-truck share. Where it is 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% of truck crashes happened on snow, slush or ice, vs 17.7% in Michigan.
Overview
Van Buren County has recorded 1,053 truck crashes since 2015, with 345 people injured and 36 killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 4 days.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in January (23.6% of the year) and are lowest in April (3.5%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 61.1% of truck crashes, vs 44.4% for 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
Within this area, I-94 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (3). It is followed by I-196 (2), CR-687 64Th St (1) and CR-COUNTY Line Rd (1).
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 ZIP 49043 fleets
- Plan January schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Van Buren County.
- Check whether your routes use I-94, the road with the most fatal truck crashes in this area.
- Icy and snowy roads show up in 45.9% of truck crashes here, more than Michigan; schedule winter checks early.
- 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) |
|---|---|
| I-94 | 3 |
| I-196 | 2 |
| CR-687 64Th St | 1 |
| CR-COUNTY Line Rd | 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 |
ZIP 49043 at a glance
| Population | 2,102 |
| Density | 26 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $36,280 |
| Median home value | $153,236 |
| Home ownership | 58% |
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 large-truck crashes: 2.0 a year in 2016–19, 1.6 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 49043
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 49043?
Van Buren County has had 1,053 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 345 people and killing 36.
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in ZIP 49043?
NHTSA data shows I-94 with 3 fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 49043 since 2015, the highest of any road.
When do most truck crashes happen in ZIP 49043?
Truck crashes in Van Buren County peak in January, with 23.6% of the year's crashes.
Are garbage truck crashes common in ZIP 49043?
Garbage trucks were involved in 15 reported crashes in Van Buren County since 2015 (1.4% of truck crashes).
What is the truck crash rate in ZIP 49043 compared with Michigan?
The yearly rate is 115.4 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in Van Buren County, vs 52.4 for Michigan.
How can I plan a safer truck route in ZIP 49043?
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.