Michigan Intersections

Every year, thousands of lives across Michigan are impacted by roadway collisions, some tragically cut short, others altered forever. In 2025, Wayne County once again led the state in crash fatalities, followed closely by Oakland and Macomb Counties. Whether it’s the congested intersections near Southfield Town Center, the high-speed merges off I-94 in Detroit, or the crosswalk chaos around the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, specific locations stand out for all the wrong reasons.

Fatality trends, rear-end pileups, pedestrian injuries, and T-bone collisions continue to rise in these high-crash zones. Data from Michigan Traffic Crash Facts (MTCF), Michigan Department of Transportation MDOT, and FARS indicate that a combination of hazardous roadway designs, poor visibility, outdated signal phasing, and Michigan’s notoriously unpredictable weather are key contributors.

Being aware of the most hazardous intersections and road stretches across the state can make all the difference, especially during daily commutes, weekend drives, or those late-night detours in unfamiliar territory.

Michigan’s Top 20 High-Crash Spots

1. Jefferson Ave & I‑75 Frontage Rd – Detroit

Fatal Crashes (2018–2022): 15
Fatalities (2018–2022): 16
Crashes per mile: 5.0
The Detroit Riverwalk, downtown venues, and the Detroit Free Press building are busy with traffic both day and night. This creates a complex environment as pedestrians cross, especially with a fast-moving frontage road intersecting a congested street. Merging is frequent and rapid, often without warning, and is made worse by poor lighting that heightens accident risks. Pedestrians crossing face increased danger in this chaotic setting, highlighting the need for better safety measures.

2. I‑275 & Ford Rd Ramp – Canton (Wayne County)

Fatal Crashes: 13
Fatalities: 14
Crashes per mile: 4.6
Traffic near big-box stores and residential areas spikes on weekends and evenings, causing congestion on ramps. This leads to aggressive merging and inconsistent speeds, increasing accident risk. Ramp congestion and frantic traffic create hazards for rear-end and sideswipe crashes, highlighting the need for vigilance in busy areas.

3. Woodward Ave & 8 Mile Rd – Ferndale (Oakland County)

Fatal Crashes: 9
Fatalities: 10
Crashes per mile: 3.9
The area is a lively entertainment strip with bars, shops, and weekend foot traffic. This attracts visitors and commuters, creating a vibrant atmosphere but also significant road risks. High pedestrian volume during peak hours and busy left turns increase crash risks, as drivers navigate complex traffic and watch for pedestrians. While attractive for socializing and commerce, these features pose safety challenges that require attention.

4. I‑75 Exit 59 (Big Beaver Rd) – Troy

Fatal Crashes: 11
Fatalities: 12
Crashes per mile: 4.3
The area around Somerset Collection and nearby business parks experiences high traffic from shoppers and commuters, leading to congestion during peak hours. The busy roads, complex interchanges, and truck traffic worsen driving conditions. Short merge lanes limit safe lane changes, increasing the risk of rear-end crashes and making roads unsafe.

5. S‑State St & West Stadium Blvd – Ann Arbor

Fatal Crashes: 6
Fatalities: 7
Crashes per mile: 3.1
The area around Michigan Stadium and student housing becomes very congested on weekends and events, significantly increasing foot and vehicle traffic. This raises the risk of accidents due to high pedestrian and chaotic game-day activity, leading to pedestrian incidents and crashes. Addressing these safety concerns is essential to prevent risks to all road users.

6. Grand River Ave & Orchard Lake Rd – Farmington Hills

Fatal Crashes: 8
Fatalities: 9
Crashes per mile: 3.7
Many suburban areas have retail hubs and schools, creating busy traffic with parents, shoppers, and commuters. This leads to congestion and a higher risk of accidents, especially sideswipes, due to frequent turns and obstructed views. The chaotic traffic often causes delays and dangerous situations, making roads hazardous.

7. I‑75 at M‑102 – Detroit

Fatal Crashes: 12
Fatalities: 13
Crashes per mile: 4.5
Greektown and downtown face heavy traffic during peak hours, causing gridlock and risky driving behavior. This environment increases accidents at busy ramps and intersections, making traffic management and safety measures essential.

8. Saginaw St & Lapeer Rd – Flint (Genesee County)

Fatal Crashes: 10
Fatalities: 11
Crashes per mile: 4.1
The corridor around the University of Michigan–Flint is lively with pedestrians and retail, attracting visitors constantly. This creates a vibrant but risky environment. Poor signal timing in this busy area can cause dangerous T-bone collisions and vehicle-pedestrian accidents. Lack of proper coordination causes pedestrians to cross unexpectedly, increasing risks. High foot traffic and poor traffic management highlight the urgent need for better safety measures in this heavily traveled corridor.

9. Hall Rd & Gratiot Ave – Chesterfield Twp (Macomb County)

Fatal Crashes: 6
Fatalities: 7
Crashes per mile: 3.3
The area has strip malls, logistics centers, and restaurants, attracting visitors and local traffic, creating a busy but risky environment. Since two major roads intersect here, managing vehicles and pedestrians is challenging. The intersection poses collision risks due to truck deliveries and retail traffic, increasing accident danger. Growth and activity boost the area, but also create safety hazards that need fixing.

10. Michigan Ave & Middlebelt Rd – Inkster (Wayne County)

Fatal Crashes: 7
Fatalities: 8
Crashes per mile: 2.9
Near the Southfield Freeway, a mix of commercial and residential areas creates a busy environment attracting pedestrians and drivers. This leads to traffic safety challenges, with heavy local traffic and residential influx causing complex driving situations needing increased attention. A key concern is speeding and poor left-turn signaling, which cause dangerous behaviors and increase accidents. Speeding or misjudging signals during left turns can result in rear-end and angle crashes, endangering lives and pedestrians, underscoring the need for safety measures.

11. I‑96 at Grand River Ave – Novi (Oakland County)

Fatal Crashes: 8

Fatalities: 9
Crashes per mile: 3.6
The Twelve Oaks Mall area, with nearby hotels and heavy traffic, causes bottlenecks at this interchange. High vehicle volume from different directions often leads to congestion, especially during peak times. The ramps and exits can worsen this, causing dangerous merges and stops. These conditions increase accident risks, making it a vital yet hazardous zone for drivers and pedestrians.

12. Washtenaw Ave & Stadium Blvd – Ann Arbor

Fatal Crashes: 5
Fatalities: 6
Crashes per mile: 2.4
The area outside Michigan Stadium experiences heavy foot and bike traffic during events, leading to congestion and safety issues. Pedestrians and cyclists interacting with turning vehicles lead to hazardous situations, increasing angle crashes at intersections. High traffic and turning dynamics pose serious risks to pedestrians and cyclists.

13. I‑696 & Dequindre Rd Exit – Warren (Macomb County)

Fatal Crashes: 9
Fatalities: 9
Crashes per mile: 3.9
The area around the GM Tech Center and nearby streets becomes bustling during rush hours, increasing driving risks. Many vehicles merge and navigate short ramps, creating high-stress situations. This often leads to heavy braking and sudden lane changes, raising collision risks. The high traffic volume and unpredictable drivers make the environment dangerously chaotic. Recognizing these challenges is crucial for understanding the inherent dangers of driving in this area.

14. M‑59 at Van Dyke Ave – Sterling Heights (Macomb County)

Fatal Crashes: 11
Fatalities: 12
Crashes per mile: 3.8
In urban areas, shopping centers and industrial zones create unpredictable traffic patterns, attracting many vehicles and causing congestion. Drivers often face high-speed transitions from freeways to surface streets, leading to chaotic driving with frequent lane weaving. These conditions increase accident risks, as sudden exits and unpredictable traffic can surprise drivers, making crashes more likely. Understanding these factors is crucial for promoting safer driving in busy areas.

15. Grand River Ave & Beck Rd – Farmington Hills

Fatal Crashes: 6
Fatalities: 7
Crashes per mile: 2.6
The area’s proximity to schools and shopping centers increases foot traffic, creating a vibrant environment with pedestrians, including children and parents. This lively setting, however, brings hazards like obstructed views and conflicts from left turns, leading to collisions. Speeding further heightens risks, making it crucial to address these safety concerns to protect the community.

16. I‑75 at M‑5 Interchange – Auburn Hills

Fatal Crashes: 10
Fatalities: 10
Crashes per mile: 4.2
The area around Great Lakes Crossing is a busy hub, especially on weekends when shoppers and delivery drivers flood the roads, creating a complicated and dangerous traffic situation. Poorly designed roads with fast ramps and tight merges increase the risk of accidents, making it hard for drivers to stay in control. This mix of high traffic and infrastructure flaws puts both shoppers and delivery drivers at risk.

17. Woodward Ave & 13 Mile Rd – Madison Heights

Fatal Crashes: 8
Fatalities: 9
Crashes per mile: 3.5
The busy retail and restaurant hub has constant foot and vehicle traffic, creating a lively but challenging environment. Confusing turn lanes and traffic jams frustrate drivers and increase accident risk, making it both attractive and hazardous for motorists and pedestrians.

18. Jackson Rd & US‑23 – Ann Arbor

Fatal Crashes: 7
Fatalities: 8
Crashes per mile: 2.8
The area west of the University of Michigan campus is busy with students, buses, and commuters, creating a complex traffic environment. The mix of pedestrians and vehicles highlights the need for safety measures. However, school zones and fast traffic raise safety concerns, with unclear left-turn cycles making these areas hazardous for pedestrians and drivers. Addressing these dangers is essential for community safety.

19. I‑94 Exit 210 – Southfield

Fatal Crashes: 9
Fatalities: 11
Crashes per mile: Commuters and commercial vehicles heavily traffic the Southfield Town Center interchange due to its accessibility. The high traffic volume, driven by visitors and residents, elevates the risk of rear-end collisions caused by ramp congestion and truck traffic. This chaotic environment highlights the need for better traffic management and safety measures.

20. Telegraph Rd & Joy Rd – Detroit

Fatal Crashes: 12
Fatalities: 14
Crashes per mile: 3.2
Rouge Park area faces daily congestion and heavy foot and vehicle traffic. Poor pedestrian infrastructure and confusing signals increase the risk of accidents, such as angle and rear-end collisions. Lack of clear pathways and signage leaves drivers and pedestrians unsure, creating dangerous situations. Improving infrastructure and signals is vital for safety and community protection.

Common Causes Behind Michigan’s Most Dangerous Crashes

• Speeding is a leading cause of fatal crashes, particularly on urban arterials and freeway off-ramps.
• Aggressive driving and distracted behavior (texting, using GPS, eating) are everyday occurrences in high-traffic areas like downtown Detroit, Southfield, and Ann Arbor’s campus loops.
• Driving Under the Influence or Impaired Driving: Many individuals take to the road under the influence, putting themselves and others at risk despite awareness campaigns.
• Poor Visibility or Inadequate Lighting: particularly in suburban and rural areas where streetlights may be lacking or malfunctioning. Nighttime and adverse weather conditions like rain or fog significantly increase crash risks.

Common issues in crash reports include:

• Improper lane usage
• Failure to yield
• Running red lights

Many intersections and interchanges are not designed for current traffic volumes.

Problems with infrastructure include:

• Outdated signal timing
• Short merge lanes
• Limited pedestrian accommodations

Design flaws combined with poor visibility and inadequate lighting increase crash risks, particularly on roads like Telegraph Road and I-275 ramps.

Stay Safe on Michigan’s Roads and Know Where to Turn for Help

Crashes often stem from preventable risks, so understanding causes helps drivers make smarter decisions. Avoid distractions, slow down in high-risk areas, and stay alert at intersections and ramps to cut collision chances. Small actions, like waiting a second before turning or slowing in rain, save lives.

Pedestrians and cyclists should also be cautious. Many crash hotspots in Michigan lack proper infrastructure, including faded crosswalks, short signals, and obstructed visibility, making it vital to plan safe routes and exercise extra caution.

Accidents happen unexpectedly, but quick responses are key. Whether dealing with injuries, vehicle damage, or uncertainty, proper support matters. That’s where Local Accident Reports come in.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash, Local Accident Reports is here to help. We’ll connect you with a skilled Michigan personal injury attorney, help secure your official crash report, and guide you through what comes next. Call 1-888-657-1460 now to speak with someone who understands your situation and can help you take the next step.