ZIP 49816 (Chatham, MI) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 49816: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Alger 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
2 of 61 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
No fatal large-truck crashes with a road name recorded here since 2015.
How Alger County compares with Michigan
Alger County against Michigan and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Alger County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Alger County | Michigan | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 58.5 | 52.4 | 49.7 | 1.1× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 1.8 | 2.1 | 3.4 | 14% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.18 | 0.30 | 0.49 | 40% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 3.6% | 3.2% | 2.3% | 1.1× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 50.0% | 17.7% | 6.2% | 2.8× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 14.3% | 25.5% | 23.7% | 44% below the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 23.2% | 21.9% | 13.8% | same |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 60.7% | 44.4% | 41.9% | 1.4× the state |
| After dark | 3.6% | 20.7% | 24.8% | 83% below the state |
Alger County sits below Michigan on deaths per 100 crashes, injuries per crash and morning rush (6–10 am). It stands out for higher crashes per 100k residents / yr, garbage-truck share and on snow, slush or ice.
What stands out in Alger County: 50.0% on snowy, slushy or icy roads, against 17.7% across Michigan.
Overview
Since 2015, 61 crashes involving commercial trucks have been reported in Alger County. They injured 13 people and killed 1.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 72 days.
When crashes happen
The worst month is January with 19.7% of truck crashes; the quietest is May at 0.0%.
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 60.7% of truck crashes, vs 44.4% for Michigan.
The busiest hour is 1–2 pm, with 19.7% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 50.0% of truck crashes, compared with 17.7% in Michigan.
Where crashes happen
NHTSA lists no located fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 49816 since 2015.
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 2 of the truck crashes here, or 3.3%, compared with 3.2% in Michigan.
Route planning tips for ZIP 49816 fleets
- Plan January schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Alger County.
- Icy and snowy roads show up in 50.0% of truck crashes here, more than Michigan; schedule winter checks early.
- 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 Alger County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
No fatal crashes involving a large truck with a road name were recorded within 10 miles since 2015.
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Alger County) |
|---|---|
| US-41 | 7 |
| Munising | 6 |
| County Road 273 | 2 |
| Arbutus | 1 |
| County Rd Et | 1 |
| Deerton Onota | 1 |
| Ff 13 | 1 |
| Ff 2268 | 1 |
ZIP 49816 at a glance
| Population | 666 |
| Density | 4 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $70,750 |
| Median home value | $165,061 |
| Home ownership | 97% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Alger 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 | 5 | — | 0.2 |
| 2000s | 5 | -8% | 0.3 |
| 2010s | 3 | -26% | 0.1 |
| 2020s | 5 | +52% | 0.2 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 5 a year in the 1990s and 5 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal large-truck crashes: 0.0 a year in 2016–19, 0.2 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 49816
How many truck accidents are there in ZIP 49816?
Alger County has had 61 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 13 people and killing 1.
Which month has the most truck crashes in ZIP 49816?
Truck crashes in Alger County peak in January, with 19.7% of the year's crashes.
Are garbage truck crashes common in ZIP 49816?
Garbage trucks were involved in 2 reported crashes in Alger County since 2015 (3.3% of truck crashes).
How does ZIP 49816 compare with Michigan for truck crashes?
The yearly rate is 58.5 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in Alger County, vs 52.4 for Michigan.
How can I plan a safer truck route in ZIP 49816?
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.