ZIP 49616 (Benzonia, MI) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 49616: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Benzie 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 of 65 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Benzie County compares with Michigan
Benzie County against Michigan and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Benzie County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Benzie County | Michigan | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 29.0 | 52.4 | 49.7 | 45% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 6.8 | 2.1 | 3.4 | 3.2× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.20 | 0.30 | 0.49 | 33% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 1.7% | 3.2% | 2.3% | 48% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 37.3% | 17.7% | 6.2% | 2.1× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 30.5% | 25.5% | 23.7% | 1.2× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 30.5% | 21.9% | 13.8% | 1.4× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 50.8% | 44.4% | 41.9% | 1.1× the state |
| After dark | 11.9% | 20.7% | 24.8% | 43% below the state |
Benzie County sits below Michigan on crashes per 100k residents / yr, injuries per crash and garbage-truck share. It runs above Michigan on deaths per 100 crashes, on snow, slush or ice and morning rush (6–10 am).
Benzie County at a glance: 6.8 people killed per 100 truck crashes (Michigan: 2.1).
Overview
Since 2015, 65 crashes involving commercial trucks have been reported in Benzie County. They injured 15 people and killed 4.
That averages about one truck crash every 68 days in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
The worst month is January with 18.5% of truck crashes; the quietest is March at 1.5%.
November through March accounts for 50.8% of truck crashes here, compared with 44.4% in Michigan.
More truck crashes happen at 11 am–12 pm than at any other hour (21.5%).
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 37.3% of truck crashes, compared with 17.7% in Michigan.
Where crashes happen
Roads with fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 49616 since 2015: CR-HOMESTEAD Rd (1) and US-31 (1). No single road stands out.
Garbage & waste trucks
1 crash involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 1.5% share (Michigan: 3.2%).
Route planning tips for ZIP 49616 fleets
- Plan January schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Benzie County.
- 30.5% of truck crashes happen between 6 and 10 am, above Michigan; consider earlier or later starts where possible.
- With 37.3% of truck crashes on snow, slush or ice (above Michigan), plan winter equipment checks early.
- Use the free Route Planner to score your route and spot low bridges before drivers head out.
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 Benzie County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| CR-HOMESTEAD Rd | 1 |
| US-31 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Benzie County) |
|---|---|
| Honor | 15 |
| Reynolds | 6 |
| Lake Ann | 4 |
| US-31 | 3 |
| Pioneer | 3 |
| Cadillac | 2 |
| Cinder | 2 |
| Crystal | 2 |
ZIP 49616 at a glance
| Population | 2,162 |
| Density | 23 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $57,982 |
| Median home value | $210,311 |
| Home ownership | 88% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Benzie 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 | 3 | — | 0.2 |
| 2000s | 4 | +43% | 0.2 |
| 2010s | 4 | -15% | 0.2 |
| 2020s | 6 | +71% | 0.4 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 3 a year in the 1990s and 6 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal large-truck crashes: 0.2 a year in 2016–19, 0.4 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 49616
How many truck crashes happen in ZIP 49616?
65 truck crashes have been reported in Benzie County since 2015, with 4 deaths and 15 injuries.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in ZIP 49616?
Truck crashes in Benzie County peak in January, with 18.5% of the year's crashes.
Are garbage truck crashes common in ZIP 49616?
1 crash involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Benzie County since 2015, 1.5% of all truck crashes.
How does ZIP 49616 compare with Michigan for truck crashes?
Benzie County records 29.0 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 52.4 across Michigan.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in ZIP 49616?
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.