ZIP 49461 (Whitehall, MI) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 49461: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Muskegon 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
4.0 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 3.7 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Muskegon County compares with Michigan
Muskegon County against Michigan and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Muskegon County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Muskegon County | Michigan | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 30.5 | 52.4 | 49.7 | 42% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 3.7 | 2.1 | 3.4 | 1.8× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.30 | 0.30 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 4.2% | 3.2% | 2.3% | 1.3× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 23.0% | 17.7% | 6.2% | 1.3× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 23.5% | 25.5% | 23.7% | 8% below the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 24.4% | 21.9% | 13.8% | 1.1× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 44.9% | 44.4% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 16.8% | 20.7% | 24.8% | 19% below the state |
Compared with Michigan, Muskegon County is lower on crashes per 100k residents / yr, morning rush (6–10 am) and after dark. It stands out for higher deaths per 100 crashes, garbage-truck share and on snow, slush or ice.
The headline for Muskegon County: January 14.7% of truck crashes happen in January, more than any other month.
Overview
Muskegon County has recorded 659 truck crashes since 2015, with 195 people injured and 22 killed.
That averages about one truck crash every 7 days in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
The worst month is January with 14.7% of truck crashes; the quietest is April at 5.0%.
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 44.9% of truck crashes, vs 44.4% for Michigan.
The busiest hour is 10–11 am, with 9.9% of truck crashes.
Road surface: 23.0% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (Michigan: 17.7%).
Where crashes happen
SR-120 leads within 10 miles of ZIP 49461 with 3 fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015. It is followed by CR-HOLTON Whitehall Rd (1), CR-W River Rd (1) and CR-WEBSTER Rd (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 29 crashes, 4.4% of the total, against 3.2% across Michigan.
Their busiest month is December, with 21% of garbage-truck crashes.
Per 100 crashes, garbage trucks recorded 4.0 deaths compared with 3.7 for all trucks.
Route planning tips for ZIP 49461 fleets
- Review driver schedules for January, the month with the most truck crashes.
- Where you can, review stops along SR-120; it has the most fatal large-truck crashes nearby.
- Waste haulers: December is the peak month for garbage-truck crashes in Muskegon County.
- 23.0% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice, above Michigan; plan winter equipment checks before the season.
- Use the free Route Planner to score your route and spot low bridges before drivers head out.
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 Muskegon County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| SR-120 | 3 |
| CR-HOLTON Whitehall Rd | 1 |
| CR-W River Rd | 1 |
| CR-WEBSTER Rd | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Muskegon County) |
|---|---|
| Apple | 59 |
| US-31 | 58 |
| S Us 31 | 54 |
| N Us 31 | 35 |
| Sherman | 32 |
| Holton | 32 |
| Maple Island | 22 |
| Laketon | 21 |
ZIP 49461 at a glance
| Population | 9,707 |
| Density | 87 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $83,363 |
| Median home value | $264,756 |
| Home ownership | 89% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Muskegon 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 | 34 | — | 1.5 |
| 2000s | 44 | +31% | 1.1 |
| 2010s | 38 | -13% | 1.1 |
| 2020s | 58 | +51% | 1.8 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 34 a year in the 1990s and 58 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. NHTSA counts 1.8 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 1.8 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 49461
How many truck accidents are there in ZIP 49461?
659 truck crashes have been reported in Muskegon County since 2015, with 22 deaths and 195 injuries.
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in ZIP 49461?
Since 2015, SR-120 has had the most fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 49461: 3.
Which month has the most truck crashes in ZIP 49461?
Truck crashes in Muskegon County peak in January, with 14.7% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in ZIP 49461?
29 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Muskegon County since 2015, 4.4% of all truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in ZIP 49461 compare with Michigan?
The yearly rate is 30.5 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in Muskegon County, vs 52.4 for Michigan.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in ZIP 49461?
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.