ZIP 49047 (Dowagiac, MI) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 49047: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Cass 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
19 of 289 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Cass County compares with Michigan
Cass County against Michigan and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Cass County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Cass County | Michigan | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 46.2 | 52.4 | 49.7 | 12% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 3.1 | 2.1 | 3.4 | 1.5× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.32 | 0.30 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 7.2% | 3.2% | 2.3% | 2.3× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 19.5% | 17.7% | 6.2% | 1.1× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 24.4% | 25.5% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 22.1% | 21.9% | 13.8% | same |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 46.9% | 44.4% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 16.0% | 20.7% | 24.8% | 22% below the state |
Compared with Michigan, Cass County is lower on crashes per 100k residents / yr and after dark. It stands out for higher deaths per 100 crashes, garbage-truck share and on snow, slush or ice.
Cass County at a glance: 1 in 14 of truck crashes here involve garbage trucks: 7.2%, vs 3.2% in Michigan.
Overview
Cass County has recorded 289 truck crashes since 2015, with 91 people injured and 9 killed.
That averages about one truck crash every 15 days in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in January (11.8% of the year) and are lowest in February (5.2%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 46.9% of truck crashes, vs 44.4% for Michigan.
The busiest hour is 10–11 am, with 10.0% of truck crashes.
19.5% of truck crashes here happened on snow, slush or ice, against 17.7% across Michigan.
Where crashes happen
Roads with fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 49047 since 2015: CR-DECATUR Rd (1) and SR-51 (1). No single road stands out.
Garbage & waste trucks
19 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 6.6% share (Michigan: 3.2%).
Route planning tips for ZIP 49047 fleets
- Plan January schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Cass County.
- Icy and snowy roads show up in 19.5% 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
Crash counts come from the FMCSA crash file (police-reported crashes involving trucks over 10,000 lb); fatal-crash locations come from NHTSA FARS. Text on this page states only what these numbers show.
Truck crashes by year: all trucks vs garbage trucks
Seasonality: when trucks crash in Cass County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| CR-DECATUR Rd | 1 |
| SR-51 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Cass County) |
|---|---|
| US-12 | 54 |
| Redfield | 11 |
| Decatur | 7 |
| Barron Lake | 6 |
| Marcellus | 6 |
| Main | 5 |
| Calvin Center | 4 |
| Front | 4 |
ZIP 49047 at a glance
| Population | 14,858 |
| Density | 48 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $62,963 |
| Median home value | $180,161 |
| Home ownership | 76% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Cass 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 | 18 | — | 2.0 |
| 2000s | 20 | +12% | 1.2 |
| 2010s | 20 | -0% | 0.9 |
| 2020s | 22 | +9% | 1.0 |
In the 1990s about 18 truck crashes a year were reported; in the 2020s, about 22. Reporting coverage also changed between these periods. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 0.8 a year in 2016–19 and 1.0 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 49047
How many truck crashes happen in ZIP 49047?
289 truck crashes have been reported in Cass County since 2015, with 9 deaths and 91 injuries.
When do most truck crashes happen in ZIP 49047?
The worst month is January: 11.8% of truck crashes in Cass County happen then.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 49047?
Since 2015, Cass County has reported 19 garbage-truck crashes, or 6.6% of its truck crashes.
What is the truck crash rate in ZIP 49047 compared with Michigan?
The yearly rate is 46.2 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in Cass County, vs 52.4 for Michigan.
How can I plan a safer truck route in ZIP 49047?
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.