ZIP 49079 (Paw Paw, MI) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 49079: 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 |
Compared with Michigan, Van Buren County is lower on 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 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.
In complete reporting years that works out to about 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%.
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 (9). It is followed by CR-RED Arrow Hwy (2), CR-W Red Arrow Hwy (1) and SR-43 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 15 of the truck crashes here, or 1.4%, compared with 3.2% in Michigan.
Route planning tips for ZIP 49079 fleets
- Build extra time into January routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Look at alternatives to I-94 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- 45.9% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice, above Michigan; plan winter equipment checks before the season.
- 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 Van Buren County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-94 | 9 |
| CR-RED Arrow Hwy | 2 |
| CR-W Red Arrow Hwy | 1 |
| SR-43 | 1 |
| SR-51 | 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 49079 at a glance
| Population | 13,414 |
| Density | 62 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $73,333 |
| Median home value | $233,870 |
| Home ownership | 78% |
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 49079
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 49079?
Van Buren County has had 1,053 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 345 people and killing 36.
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in ZIP 49079?
Since 2015, I-94 has had the most fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 49079: 9.
When do most truck crashes happen in ZIP 49079?
Truck crashes in Van Buren County peak in January, with 23.6% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in ZIP 49079?
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 49079 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 do I plan a garbage truck route in ZIP 49079?
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.