ZIP 49065 (Lawton, MI) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 49065: 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 sits below Michigan on garbage-truck share. Where it is higher: crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and on snow, slush or ice.
Van Buren County at a glance: 45.9% share of truck crashes on snow, slush or ice (Michigan: 17.7%).
Overview
Since 2015, 1,053 crashes involving commercial trucks have been reported in Van Buren County. They injured 345 people and killed 36.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 4 days.
When crashes happen
The worst month is January with 23.6% of truck crashes; the quietest is April at 3.5%.
The five winter months (November to March) hold 61.1% of truck crashes, against 44.4% across Michigan.
By time of day, 9–10 am stands out with 9.8% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 45.9% of truck crashes, compared with 17.7% in Michigan.
Where crashes happen
I-94 leads within 10 miles of ZIP 49065 with 9 fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015. It is followed by SR-51 (2), CR-MARCELLUS Rd (1) and CR-RED Arrow Hwy (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 49065 fleets
- Build extra time into January routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Where you can, review stops along I-94; it has the most fatal large-truck crashes nearby.
- Icy and snowy roads show up in 45.9% 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 Van Buren County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-94 | 9 |
| SR-51 | 2 |
| CR-MARCELLUS Rd | 1 |
| CR-RED Arrow Hwy | 1 |
| CR-W Red Arrow Hwy | 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 49065 at a glance
| Population | 7,092 |
| Density | 61 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $71,447 |
| Median home value | $233,733 |
| Home ownership | 84% |
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 49065
How many truck crashes happen in ZIP 49065?
1,053 truck crashes have been reported in Van Buren County since 2015, with 36 deaths and 345 injuries.
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in ZIP 49065?
NHTSA data shows I-94 with 9 fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 49065 since 2015, the highest of any road.
Which month has the most truck crashes in ZIP 49065?
January has the most truck crashes in Van Buren County, 23.6% of the yearly total.
Are garbage truck crashes common in ZIP 49065?
Since 2015, Van Buren County has reported 15 garbage-truck crashes, or 1.4% of its truck crashes.
How does ZIP 49065 compare with Michigan for truck crashes?
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 49065?
The free Route Planner takes your stops and returns a route risk score, safer alternatives and low-bridge warnings.
2026 is a partial year. Updated October 2026.