A Michigan law firm that analyzed state crash data says the 20 most dangerous intersections for drivers in 2024 are located mostly throughout southeast Michigan.
Michigan Auto Law, in Farmington Hills, which specializes in auto crash cases, compiled a list of “most dangerous intersections,” based upon data from Michigan State Police data.
The law firm says 11 Mile Road/Interstate 696 at Van Dyke Avenuein Warren is the most dangerous intersection in Michigan, with 185 crashes and 26 injuries in 2024. Crashes decreased 15% from 218 in 2023 to 185 in 2024.
“In the No. 1 spot on our list of Michigan’s Most Dangerous Intersections for 2024 is an area where a heavily traveled stretch of road in Macomb County crosses over a busy suburban freeway,” Michigan Auto Law said. “This interchange with multiple traffic signals and merging traffic — which was No. 1 on our Top 20 list for 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2017 — had 26 injuries in 2024, which was a 50% drop from 52 in 2023. In 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019, there were 41, 38, 33 and 31 injuries, respectively.”
The second-most dangerous location in 2024, in Sterling Heights, was the 18½ Mile Road at Van Dyke Avenue roundabout where there were 162 crashes and 12 injuries in 2024.
“Unfortunately, total crashes at this busy roundabout in Macomb County jumped 20% from 135 in 2023 to 162 in 2024. In 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019, there were 118, 168, 131 and 229 total crashes, respectively,” Michigan Auto Law said.
“The goal of this report isn’t to alarm drivers, but to help them stay informed and safe,” Michigan Auto Law President Steve Gursten, an attorney, said. “When drivers understand where these dangerous intersections are, and what behaviors contribute to crashes, they can make smarter, safer decisions behind the wheel. Knowledge is one of the most powerful tools we have for preventing accidents.”
The firm encourages drivers to make informed decisions, whether that means taking an alternate route or using extra caution when driving through high-risk intersections.
Every year, nearly one-third of all car crashes in Michigan, and approximately 30% of all fatal car crashes, occur at intersections, according to Michigan Auto Law.
Here are the other intersections on the list:
Detroit
- Joy Road at M-39/Southfield Freeway (No. 14): 78 total crashes, 27 injuries
Sterling Heights
- 18½ Mile Road at Van Dyke Avenue roundabout (No. 2): 162 crashes, 12 injuries. “Unfortunately, total crashes at this busy roundabout in Macomb County jumped 20% from 135 in 2023 to 162 in 2024. In 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019, there were 118, 168, 131 and 229 total crashes, respectively.”
- Hall Road at Schoenherr (No.17): 76 total crashes, 11 injuries
Commerce Township
- Martin Parkway at North Pontiac Trail (No. 3): 152 crashes, nine injuries. “This busy roundabout — which is also Oakland County’s largest roundabout — saw total crashes fall to 151 in 2024 from 160 in 2023. There were 126 in 2022, 140 in 2021, 110 in 2020, and 161 in 2019.”
Redford
- Schoolcraft Road/I-96 at Telegraph Road (No. 4): 137 total crashes, 26 injuries. “The busy area where Telegraph Road passes over Schoolcraft Road and the Interstate 96 freeway had 137 total crashes in 2024, down from 154 in 2023. There were 126 motor vehicle accidents here in 2022, 104 in 2021, 108 in 2020, and 210 in 2019.”
Macomb Township
- Hall Road/ M-59 at Hayes Road (No. 16): 76 crashes, 14 injuries
Ypsilanti
- North Hamilton Street at Washtenaw Avenue (No. 5): 132 total crashes, seven injuries. “2024 is the first year that this Ypsilanti interchange has made the list of Michigan’s Most Dangerous Intersections.”
Farmington Hills
- Orchard Lake Road at 14 Mile Road (No. 6): 109 crashes, five injuries
Southfield
- Telegraph Road at 12 Mile Road (No .7): 106 crashes, 23 injuries
Lathrup Village
- Southfield Road at West 11 Mile Road (No. 15): 76 total crashes, 38 injuries
St Clair Shores
- 10 Mile Road at Interstate 94 (No. 8): 96 crashes, one fatality, 21 injuries
- 12 Mile Road at I-94 (No. 18): 75 crashes, one fatality, 11 injuries
Grand Rapids
- U.S. 131 at Wealthy Street (No. 19): 73 total crashes, 12 injuries
Roseville
- 11 Mile Road at East Gratiot Avenue (No. 20): 72 crashes, 18 injuries
Livonia
- Middlebelt Road at Schoolcraft Road (No. 9): 95 crashes, 14 injuries
Warren
- 11 Mile Road/I-696 at VanDyke Road (No. 1): 85 total crashes, 26 injuries. “There were 185 total crashes at this interchange in 2024, which was a 15% drop from 218 in 2023. In 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019, there were 207, 173, 124 and 129 total crashes, respectively. “
- 11 Mile Road/ I-696 at Hoover (No. 10): 86 crashes, one fatality, 18 injuries
Ann Arbor
- State Road at West Ellsworth Road (No. 11): 85 crashes, five injuries
Springfield Township
- Dixie Highway at Interstate 75 (No. 12): 80 crashes, 19 injuries
Brighton
- Lee Road at Whitmore Lake Road (No. 13): 80 total crashes, three injuries
What makes an intersection dangerous?
The rankings are based on the number of reported crashes that occurred within 200 feet of the intersection during 2024. The number of injuries reported in the crashes is also included in the list.
What defines an intersection?
An intersection is defined as a road with a traffic signal, four-way stop or roundabout. The crash data includes any crash reported resulting in injury or fatalities that occurred within 200 feet of an intersection including near freeways, divided highways and rural rounds.
What are the leading causes of crashes in Michigan?
Running red lights, disregarding stop signs, disregarding yield signs, failing to yield the right-of-way, disregarding the right-of-way laws, improper left hand turns, speeding, distracted driving, and impaired driving are the leading causes of intersection accidents, according to Michigan Auto Law.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Where are Michigan’s most dangerous intersections? Law firm ranks top 20 in 2024
Reporting by Jalen Williams, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
