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Michigan Winter Driving Accident Statistics: What You Need To Know

November 25, 2024 by Steven M. Gursten

Michigan Winter Driving Accident Statistics: What You Need To Know

Knowing the winter driving accident statistics will help Michigan drivers stay focused on safety when they are driving on snowy, icy and slushy roads this winter. Dangerous weather road conditions can come on quickly and it is best that everyone is prepared.

Our automobile crash attorneys hope that by sharing this information, we can help make drivers aware of the road conditions that put you and your families at higher risk of being involved in a winter car crash.

We encourage drivers to pay attention to weather and Michigan winter road conditions, slow down and drive for the conditions to minimize your risk of an automobile crash.

Winter driving accident statistics for fatal and injury car crashes

The most current winter driving accident statistics available for fatal and injury car crashes – as well as overall crashes – show that in 2023:

  • 4% of all fatal motor vehicle crashes occurred on roads covered in snow, ice and slush
  • 6% of all injury motor vehicle crashes occurred on roads covered in snow, ice and slush
  • 7.5% of all motor vehicle crashes occurred on roads covered in snow, ice and slush

Winter driving accident statistics from the winters of 2020-2021 to 2022-2023

The winter driving accident statistics for Michigan show what a significant safety challenge drivers face on roads that are covered by snow, ice and/or slush. Unfortunately, overall winter crashes, fatal crashes, deaths and injuries were all up from the winter of 2020-2021 to 2022-2023.

Here are the statistics:

  • Overall winter weather crashes in Michigan increased 27% from 24,237 during the winter of 2020-2021 to to 30,786 during the winter of 2022-2023.
  • Fatal winter crashes increased 25.5% from 47 during the winter of 2020-2021 to 59 during the winter of 2022-2023.
  • Deaths resulting from winter auto accidents increased by 26% from 50 during the winter of 2020-2021 to 63 during the winter of 2022-2024.
  • Injuries from crashes occurring during the winter in Michigan increased 25% from 4,368 during the winter of 2020-2021 to 5,470 during the winter of 2022-2023.

Winter driving accident statistics and driving too fast for conditions

According to the winter driving accident statistics, approximately 30% of the drivers involved in winter crashes in Michigan in 2023 were driving at a speed that was “too fast” for conditions.

The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) emphasizes this point in its “Drive Slow on Ice and Snow” public safety campaign when it reminds drivers: “Most winter crashes are caused by drivers traveling too fast for conditions.”

It is important that drivers know they can be ticketed for driving “too fast for conditions” even if they are driving at or below the posted speed limit. That is because Michigan’s “basic speed law” requires drivers to drive at “a careful and prudent speed not greater than nor less than is reasonable and proper, having due regard to the traffic, surface, and width of the highway and of any other condition existing at the time.” (MCL 257.627(1))

The OHSP has expanded its winter driving safety outreach by launching its “Winter Driving” website which is packed with tips and useful resources that address a wide range of cold-weather challenges, including: planning a safe route, how to control their vehicle, what to do in an emergency, passenger safety, tire tips and more.

With the winter driving accident statistics along with our automobile crash attorneys first-hand experience helping car crash victims that speed – especially excessive speed with Michigan winter road conditions – is the top contributing factor to causing otherwise completely preventable car crashes.

SAFETY REMINDER: Slowing down is always your best defense during icy Michigan winter road conditions and winter weather.

Injured In Winter Car Crash? Call Michigan Auto Law first

If you were injured in a winter car crash in Michigan, call now (800) 968-1001 for a free consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer. There is no cost or obligation. You can also visit our contact page or use the chat feature on our website.

Michigan Auto Law is Michigan’s largest and most successful law firm that specializes exclusively in helping people who have been injured in auto accidents.

Our secret? Our attorneys deliberately handle fewer cases than other personal injury law firms.  This allows us to focus more time and attention on our cases.

Unlike other law firms, our auto accident attorneys are never too busy to promptly return phone calls and answer questions. 

We have more than 2,000 5-Star reviews that reflect this care and attention to detail.

More importantly, this client-focused approach leads to better and faster settlements for our clients. Michigan Auto Law has recovered more million-dollar settlements and trial verdicts for motor vehicle accidents than any other lawyer or law firm in Michigan. We’ve also recovered the highest ever reported truck accident and car accident settlement in the state.

Call now so we can start making a real difference for you.

(Source: Michigan Traffic Crash Facts, 2023, Statewide, Crash, “Road Condition,” “ice,” “snow” and “slush”; Michigan Traffic Crash Facts, 20232021, Fact Sheets, “Winter Weather”)

Michigan Winter Driving Accident Statistics: What You Need To Know
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