Fatal Crash Data

Fatal crashes in Grand Traverse County, Michigan

In 2024, 10 people died in 10 fatal crashes in Grand Traverse County, 41.2% fewer than in 2023. From 2015 to 2024 the county recorded 104 fatal crashes and 111 deaths.

10.3 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 10.8 across Michigan in 2024; 11.8 against 10.5 a year over 2015 to 2024. Population 96,625, Census Bureau estimate. All fatal crashes in Michigan.

Deaths in Grand Traverse County by year

10201620182020202220242023: 172024: 10
YearFatal crashesDeaths
20241010
20231517
20221415
20211516
202055
201988
201866
201788
20161315
20151011

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count

The deadliest roads in Grand Traverse County

US 31 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Grand Traverse County from 2015 to 2024: 25, with 26 deaths. The 3 roads listed held 38% of all fatal crashes in Grand Traverse County from 2015 to 2024; 1 US route, 2 state highways. Interstate, US and state routes with 5 or more fatal crashes in the county; county roads and city streets are in the county's total but not listed.

RoadFatal crashesDeaths2022 to 2024
1US 3125265
2State Highway 37894
3State Highway 72674no page

Cities NHTSA filed, with their fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024: Traverse City 11, Acme 6. The city is not filed for crashes outside a city.

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count

When fatal crashes happen in Grand Traverse County

Too few crashes to name a heaviest slot. The grid shows the shares; a share is only given over 20 crashes.

Share of fatal crashes in Grand Traverse County by weekday and time of day, 2015 to 2024, in percent
Midnight to 44 to 8 am8 to noonNoon to 44 to 8 pm8 to midnight
Sun1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes2.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes
Mon1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes2.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes3.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes2.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes
Tue1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes2.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes3.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes3.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes
Wed1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes3.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes2.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes3.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes
Thu1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes4.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes
Fri1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes1.0 percent, 1 fatal crashes4.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes5.8 percent, 6 fatal crashes4.8 percent, 5 fatal crashes
Sat3.8 percent, 4 fatal crashes0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes2.9 percent, 3 fatal crashes5.8 percent, 6 fatal crashes1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes

By hour

By month

  • Jan4.8%
  • Feb3.8%
  • Mar4.8%
  • Apr5.8%
  • May4.8%
  • Jun7.7%
  • Jul9.6%
  • Aug15.4%
  • Sep13.5%
  • Oct9.6%
  • Nov7.7%
  • Dec12.5%

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count

What fatal crashes in Grand Traverse County first hit

The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in most fatal crashes, 56%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 20%, a pedestrian in 14%, a cyclist in 5.8%.

First harmful eventFatal crashesShare
Collision with another vehicle5856%
Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch)2120%
Pedestrian1414%
Cyclist65.8%
Other43.8%
Rollover11.0%
Parked vehicle00.0%
Not reported00.0%

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count

How fatal crashes in Grand Traverse County compare with Michigan

A drinking driver was recorded in 36% of fatal crashes in Grand Traverse County from 2015 to 2024, above the Michigan share of 28%; speeding in 32%, above the Michigan share of 25%; a hit-and-run in 2.9%, below the Michigan share of 6.5%; a driver recorded as distracted in 5.8%, about the Michigan share; 34% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, below the Michigan share of 38%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all of Michigan. A share is only given over 20 crashes.

Grand TraverseMichigan
On rural roads52%41%above the Michigan share
At or near an intersection30%29%above the Michigan share
In the dark, road unlit26%26%about the same as the Michigan share
A drinking driver36%28%above the Michigan share
Speeding32%25%above the Michigan share
A distracted driver (as recorded)5.8%5.9%about the same as the Michigan share
Occupants killed unbelted34%38%below the Michigan share
Hit-and-run2.9%6.5%below the Michigan share
A motorcycle involved14%16%below the Michigan share
Pedestrians among the dead13%15%below the Michigan share

Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count

Questions about fatal crashes in Grand Traverse County

How many people died in car accidents in Grand Traverse County in 2024?
10 people died in 10 fatal crashes in Grand Traverse County, Michigan, in 2024, 41.2% fewer than in 2023. That is 10.3 deaths per 100,000 residents, against 10.8 across Michigan.
What is the deadliest road in Grand Traverse County?
US 31 had the most fatal crashes of any numbered road in Grand Traverse County from 2015 to 2024: 25, with 26 deaths.
How many fatal crashes in Grand Traverse County involved a drinking driver?
37 of 104 fatal crashes in Grand Traverse County from 2015 to 2024 involved a driver NHTSA recorded as drinking, 36%, against 28% across Michigan.

Other counties in Michigan with a page

All fatal crashes in Michigan, with every county ranked.

Where the Grand Traverse County numbers come from

Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash NHTSA filed in Grand Traverse County (county code 55). A fatal crash is one in which someone died within 30 days. The rate per 100,000 uses the Census Bureau's population estimate for the county; it is the only figure here not counted from FARS. The full method.