Some newly compiled data shows which Michigan roundabouts saw the most crashes in 2024.
Michigan Auto Law published data from the Michigan State Police Traffic Crash Reporting Unit, breaking down the 10 roundabouts in the state that saw the highest number of crashes.
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Here are the top 10 in Michigan:
- 18½ Mile Road at Van Dyke Avenue, Sterling Heights: 162 total crashes, 12 injuries
- Martin Parkway at North Pontiac Trail, Commerce Township: 151 total crashes, 9 injuries
- Orchard Lake Road at 14 Mile Road, Farmington Hills: 109 total crashes, 5 injuries
- State Road at West Ellsworth Road, Ann Arbor: 85 total crashes, 5 injuries
- Lee Road at Whitmore Lake Road, Green Oak Township: 80 total crashes, 3 injuries
- Oakley Park Road at Martin Parkway, Commerce Township: 69 total crashes, 6 injuries
- Farmington Road at West Maple Road, West Bloomfield Township: 64 total crashes, 7 injuries
- Sprinkle Road at Cork Street (north of I-94), Kalamazoo: 49 total crashes, 15 injuries
- Drake Road at West Maple Road, West Bloomfield Township: 48 total crashes, 6 injuries
- Romence Parkway at South Westnedge Avenue, Portage: 31 total crashes, 8 injuries
Roundabouts are always on the list of the highest crash intersections, but they are technically safer than a traditional. The biggest reason why roundabouts are safer than traffic lights or stop signs is the design, which forces drivers to slow down, making the most serious collisions, like a left-turn or head-on crash, less likely to happen.
Most crashes in roundabouts are minor, because drivers are moving at much slower speeds in the roundabout circle than they would be driving through a green light.
Roundabouts are also safer for pedestrians, because they walk around the perimeter and cross only one direction of traffic at one time, at shorter distances.
Many roundabouts also have trees or brush in the center, which is intentional. They block the glare of oncoming headlights across the roundabout, and helps give motorists the visual cue to reduce their speed when approaching the roundabout and clearly indicates to drivers they cannot pass straight through the intersection.
---> Read more: If roundabouts are safer, why did they top list of most crashes in Metro Detroit last year?