Michigan’s Most Dangerous Places for Motorcyclists (Including the 10 Most Hazardous Roads and Intersections)

Over the years, we’ve warned our readers to avoid numerous deadly places for drivers. Last spring we reported on the most dangerous places for people in cars, bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists. This time, we’re concentrating our attention on the last of these groups, since it’s recently been noted that Michigan is one of the nation’s worst 10 states for motorcycle-related deaths.

That nationwide study, using data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Michigan State Police Traffic Crash Reporting Service, listed 173 deaths in 2022 and 165 in 2023 (the latest year for which complete fatality statistics were available). And our connections at the Michigan State Police tell us that in 2024, a total of 34,023 motorcycle crashes took place across the state. That’s far too many tragedies for us to ignore. So, read on to learn where most of these accidents happen, and how to prevent yourself from becoming a sad statistic in the coming year.

Where Are The Most Motorcycle Accidents in Michigan?

It will probably come as no surprise that Wayne County leads the list of locations plagued with the highest number of motorcycle crashes, with a whopping 5,454 incidents between January 1 and December 31, 2024. Next comes Oakland County with 2,855 motorcycle crashes last year, followed closely by Macomb County at 2,394, and Kent County with 2,286. Finishing in fifth place was Genesee County, with 1,369 motorcycle accidents. The remaining motorcycle accidents were scattered statewide, with rural counties generally having fewer crashes than more urbanized, higher-traffic locales.

Which Roads And Intersections Are Deadliest For Motorcyclists?

Also unsurprisingly, all 10 of the state’s worst places for motorcycle accidents are concentrated in Metro Detroit. Consider this list of accident hot spots as places to avoid when you’re planning your next road trip:

10th worst – French Road at Gratiot Avenue (Wayne County, Detroit) – 10 accidents

9th worst – Big Beaver Road (Oakland County, Troy) – 10 accidents

8th worst – Woodward Avenue (Oakland County, Royal Oak) – 11 accidents

7th worst – Telegraph Road (Wayne County, Taylor) – 11 accidents

6th worst – 16 Mile Road at Metropolitan Parkway (Macomb County, Sterling Heights) – 11 accidents

5th worst – S. Gratiot Avenue at Metropolitan Parkway (Macomb County, Clinton Twp.) – 12 accidents

4th worst – Mound Road (Macomb County, Sterling Heights) – 13 accidents

3rd worst – 8 Mile Road (Wayne County, Detroit) – 13 accidents

2nd worst – Hall Road (Macomb County, Macomb Twp.) – 16 accidents

Worst – Gratiot Avenue (Macomb County, Roseville) – 18 accidents

As you can see, even though Wayne County had Michigan’s highest overall number of motorcycle accidents in 2024, Macomb County had five of the state’s most dangerous roadways and intersections! So be sure to take special care to drive safely whenever you’re riding your Harley or Honda on the East Side or south of 8 Mile Road!

How To Remain Safe When Driving

Beyond knowing where most accidents happen, it can pay to consider other ways to keep yourself out of trouble when you’re riding a motorcycle anywhere across the Great Lakes State. Here are some ideas to consider:

Use a DOT-approved “Skid Lid” – Hate to say it for all you folks who relish feeling the wind whipping through your hair, but we strongly urge you to wear a helmet whenever you’re on your bike. Yes, we know the law permits you to ride without one if you are at least 21 years old, have at least $20,000 in medical insurance, and have either passed an approved motorcycle safety course or have held your motorcycle license endorsement for at least two years. But do you really want to take a chance on permanent brain damage or a traumatic brain injury (TBI) with lifelong mental health implications?

Choose your route carefully – As you’ve already seen, certain roads and intersections are especially dangerous for bikers, so stay away from those deadly places if possible. Better yet, ride rural! Take your bike to the wild and wonderful remote parts of the state for unimpeded driving that can help you free your mind from worries and more safely enjoy a meditative, Zen-like experience on two wheels! Use this handy map of the highest Michigan motorcycle accident zones to plan your trip while avoiding the state’s worst accident hot spots.

Ride when roads are less congested and obey motorcycle traffic laws – Not only are rural routes safer, you’re also less likely to encounter issues if you try to stay off the road during weekday rush hours or on Friday nights or Sunday afternoons when people are racing up north or returning home from a weekend getaway. And it can pay to refresh your memory on how to use proper hand signals while riding to alert other drivers of your planned maneuvers well in advance so they can avoid your bike if you’re turning or stopping. By the way, far more motorcycle accidents (84 percent of those reported statewide!) occur on Michigan’s surface streets than on highways, so plan your travel accordingly to help yourself arrive at your destination safe and sound.

What Should You Do If You’re Injured In A Motorcycle Accident?

Do we really have to answer that question? Or course we do! Call 855-MIKE-WINS (855-645-3946) immediately after dialing 911 to get first responders on their way to help you and any other injured riders. When you make that call or contact us online, our team of dedicated motorcycle accident injury attorneys will be ready, willing, and able to help you get the compensation you need to regain your health and get back in the saddle again. But don’t wait too long to call us. The statute of limitations for motorcycle injury lawsuits (and for all personal injury cases in Michigan by the way) is just three years!

Content checked by Mike Morse, personal injury attorney with Mike Morse Injury Law Firm. Mike Morse is the founder of Mike Morse Law Firm, the largest personal injury law firm in Michigan. Since being founded in 1995, Mike Morse Law Firm has grown to over 200 employees, served 40,000 clients, and collected more than $1.5 billion for victims of auto, truck and motorcycle accidents. The main office is in Southfield, MI but you can also find us in Detroit, Sterling Heights and many other locations.