ZIP 49970 (Watton, MI) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 49970: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Baraga 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 47 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Baraga County compares with Michigan
Baraga County against Michigan and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Baraga County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Baraga County | Michigan | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 45.6 | 52.4 | 49.7 | 13% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 7.3 | 2.1 | 3.4 | 3.5× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.44 | 0.30 | 0.49 | 1.5× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 4.9% | 3.2% | 2.3% | 1.5× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 34.2% | 17.7% | 6.2% | 1.9× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 36.6% | 25.5% | 23.7% | 1.4× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 24.4% | 21.9% | 13.8% | 1.1× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 41.5% | 44.4% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 36.6% | 20.7% | 24.8% | 1.8× the state |
Baraga County sits below Michigan on crashes per 100k residents / yr. Where it is higher: deaths per 100 crashes, injuries per crash and garbage-truck share.
The headline for Baraga County: 7.3 deaths per 100 truck crashes, vs 2.1 in Michigan.
Overview
Police reported 47 crashes involving commercial trucks in Baraga County since 2015: 22 people were injured and 4 were killed.
That averages about one truck crash every 98 days in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in October (19.1% of the year) and are lowest in May (2.1%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 41.5% of truck crashes, vs 44.4% for Michigan.
By time of day, 8–9 am stands out with 10.6% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 34.2% of truck crashes, compared with 17.7% in Michigan.
Where crashes happen
Since 2015, fatal crashes with a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 49970 happened on SR-28 (1); no road leads clearly.
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 2 of the truck crashes here, or 4.3%, compared with 3.2% in Michigan.
Route planning tips for ZIP 49970 fleets
- Review driver schedules for October, the month with the most truck crashes.
- 36.6% of truck crashes happen between 6 and 10 am, above Michigan; consider earlier or later starts where possible.
- Icy and snowy roads show up in 34.2% 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 Baraga County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| SR-28 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Baraga County) |
|---|---|
| US-41 | 33 |
| US-141 | 3 |
| Buckland | 1 |
| L Anse | 1 |
| Mead | 1 |
| Michigan | 1 |
| Peterson | 1 |
| Skanee | 1 |
ZIP 49970 at a glance
| Population | 256 |
| Density | 1 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $60,536 |
| Median home value | $149,690 |
| Home ownership | 98% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Baraga 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 | — | 0.1 |
| 2000s | 6 | +17% | 0.4 |
| 2010s | 2 | -56% | 0.2 |
| 2020s | 4 | +67% | 0.2 |
In the 1990s about 5 truck crashes a year were reported; in the 2020s, about 4. Reporting coverage also changed between these periods. Fatal large-truck crashes: 0.2 a year in 2016–19, 0.2 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 49970
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 49970?
Since 2015, 47 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Baraga County (22 injured, 4 killed).
What is the worst month for truck crashes in ZIP 49970?
Truck crashes in Baraga County peak in October, with 19.1% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 49970?
Garbage trucks were involved in 2 reported crashes in Baraga County since 2015 (4.3% of truck crashes).
How do truck crashes in ZIP 49970 compare with Michigan?
Baraga County records 45.6 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 52.4 across Michigan.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in ZIP 49970?
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.