We’re revealing the areas of I-96 in Michigan where drivers are more likely to crash.
The Local 4 Investigative team looked at data from the Michigan Traffic Crash Facts’ Data Query Tool and broke it down to show where these crashes are happening, what day, what time, and more.
Our research identified four 2-mile-long hotspots along I-96 where crashes happen most often. The data includes crashes reported on the MTCF from 2019 through 2023.
Here’s what we found:
We also have coverage on four spots you’re more likely to crash on I-75 and where crashes happen more often on I-94. You can find everything on the Investigations page.
1. I-96 between 7 Mile Road and the M-14/I-96 interchange
The two-mile stretch of I-96 that we identified as having the highest number of crashes between 2019 and through 2023 was between 7 Mile Road and the M-14/I-96 interchange in Wayne County.
In that five-year span, there were 978 crashes reported on the Michigan Traffic Crash Facts’ Data Query Tool. Only one of those crashes was deadly.
This section of I-96 is part of a stretch that shares a name with I-275, which adds to the confusion for drivers.
October saw the most crashes and April saw the fewest. Drivers were more likely to crash on a Friday and least likely to crash on a Sunday. The most common type of crash in this area was a rear-end crash. The most often time of day for crashes was between 3 p.m. and 6:59 p.m.
2. I-96 between Novi Road and the I-696/M-5 interchange
The two-mile stretch of I-96 that we identified as having the second-highest number of crashes between 2019 and through 2023 was between Novi Road and the I-696/M-5 interchange in Oakland County.
In that five-year span, there were 815 crashes reported on the Michigan Traffic Crash Facts’ Data Query Tool. Only one of those crashes was deadly.
February saw the most crashes and September saw the fewest. Drivers were more likely to crash on a Friday and least likely to crash on a Sunday. The most common type of crash in this area was a rear-end crash. The most often time of day for crashes was between 2 p.m. and 6:59 p.m.
3. I-96 between Greenfield Road and Wyoming Avenue
The two-mile stretch of I-96 that we identified as having the third-highest number of crashes between 2019 and through 2023 was between Greenfield Road and Wyoming Avenue in Wayne County.
In that five-year span, there were 757 crashes reported on the Michigan Traffic Crash Facts’ Data Query Tool. Six of those crashes were deadly.
April saw the most crashes and July saw the fewest. Drivers were more likely to crash on a Sunday and least likely to crash on a Tuesday. The most common type of crash in this area were single-vehicle crashes. The most often time of day for crashes was between 8 a.m. - 10:59 a.m. and again from 1 p.m. to 7:59 p.m.
Around 56% of crashes happened in the eastbound lanes.
MDOT spokesperson Diane Cross said MDOT would probably consider adding shields to the roadway on the next redesign. Shields are the signs on the road that show you where your lane is headed.
4. I-96 between the express/local split up and the M-39/Southfield Freeway interchange
The two-mile stretch of I-96 that we identified as having the fourth-highest number of crashes between 2019 and through 2023 was between the start of the I-96 express/local split up to the M-39/Southfield interchange in Wayne County
In that five-year span, there were 672 crashes reported on the Michigan Traffic Crash Facts’ Data Query Tool. None of those crashes were deadly.
February saw the most crashes and August saw the fewest. Drivers were more likely to crash on a Wednesday and least likely to crash on a Sunday.
Around 37% of crashes were single-vehicle crashes, 28% were sideswipe crashes, and 27% were rear-end crashes.
The most often time of day for crashes was between 3 p.m. and 6:59 p.m.
