ZIP 49534 (Grand Rapids, MI) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 49534: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Ottawa 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
1.9 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 1.7 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Ottawa County compares with Michigan
Ottawa County against Michigan and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Ottawa County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Ottawa County | Michigan | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 49.3 | 52.4 | 49.7 | same |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 1.7 | 2.1 | 3.4 | 19% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.26 | 0.30 | 0.49 | 13% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 3.2% | 3.2% | 2.3% | same |
| On snow, slush or ice | 20.6% | 17.7% | 6.2% | 1.2× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 26.9% | 25.5% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 22.0% | 21.9% | 13.8% | same |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 44.9% | 44.4% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 17.0% | 20.7% | 24.8% | 18% below the state |
Ottawa County sits below Michigan on deaths per 100 crashes, injuries per crash and after dark. It runs above Michigan on on snow, slush or ice.
What stands out in Ottawa County: January 14.6% of truck crashes happen in January, more than any other month.
Overview
Police reported 1,797 crashes involving commercial trucks in Ottawa County since 2015: 611 people were injured and 31 were killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 2 days.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in January (14.6% of the year) and are lowest in March (6.1%).
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.
20.6% 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 49534 since 2015: SR-11 (3), SR-6 (3), US-131 (3), 44th Street (1) and 72nd Ave (1). No single road stands out.
Garbage & waste trucks
57 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 3.2% share (Michigan: 3.2%).
Their busiest month is November, with 14% of garbage-truck crashes.
They recorded 1.9 deaths per 100 crashes, against 1.7 for all trucks.
Route planning tips for ZIP 49534 fleets
- Build extra time into January routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Waste haulers: November is the peak month for garbage-truck crashes in Ottawa County.
- 20.6% 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
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 Ottawa County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| SR-11 | 3 |
| SR-6 | 3 |
| US-131 | 3 |
| 44th Street | 1 |
| 72nd Ave | 1 |
| CR-22ND Ave | 1 |
| CR-44TH St | 1 |
| CR-48TH Ave | 1 |
| Division Ave | 1 |
| I-196 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Ottawa County) |
|---|---|
| US-31 | 148 |
| I-196 | 133 |
| I-96 | 115 |
| Chicago | 89 |
| Lake Michigan | 57 |
| I 196 Bl | 46 |
| Riley | 39 |
| Beacon | 39 |
ZIP 49534 at a glance
| Population | 23,719 |
| Density | 260 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $81,657 |
| Median home value | $309,175 |
| Home ownership | 70% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Ottawa 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 | 88 | — | 3.0 |
| 2000s | 100 | +14% | 3.5 |
| 2010s | 111 | +11% | 2.0 |
| 2020s | 157 | +42% | 1.8 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 88 to 157. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. Fatal large-truck crashes: 2.8 a year in 2016–19, 1.8 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 49534
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 49534?
Since 2015, 1,797 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Ottawa County (611 injured, 31 killed).
What is the worst month for truck crashes in ZIP 49534?
The worst month is January: 14.6% of truck crashes in Ottawa County happen then.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 49534?
Since 2015, Ottawa County has reported 57 garbage-truck crashes, or 3.2% of its truck crashes.
How does ZIP 49534 compare with Michigan for truck crashes?
Per 100,000 residents, Ottawa County has 49.3 truck crashes a year; Michigan has 52.4.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in ZIP 49534?
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.