The intersection of South Airport Road and US 31 remains the most dangerous intersection in Grand Traverse County, though the number of accidents there decreased significantly last year. Data from the Michigan State Police Traffic Crash Reporting Unit was cited in a report by the Farmington Hills law firm Michigan Auto Law, which shows the intersection was the site of 35 car crashes in 2020. That compares with 62 crashes in 2019.

The rest of the ten most dangerous intersections in the county:

2.      Beitner Road at M-37, Blair Twp.: 28 total crashes, 5 injuries. The Chums Corner intersection saw only a slight decrease in crashes with 28 total accidents in 2020, compared to 31 in 2019.  
3.      Division Street at Front Street, Traverse City: 22 total crashes, 11 injuries
4.      Division Street at Silver Lake Road, Traverse City: 22 total crashes, 4 injuries
5.      South Airport Road at Barlow Street/La Franier Road, Garfield Twp.: 21 total crashes, 11 injuries
6.      South Airport Road at Garfield Road, Garfield Twp.: 21 total crashes, 9 injuries
7.      Lautner Road at M-72, Acme Twp.: 20 total crashes, 5 injuries
8.      Hammond Road W at Garfield Road, Garfield Twp.: 19 total crashes, 7 injuries
9.      3 Mile Road at US 31, East Bay Twp.: 19 total crashes, 3 injuries
10.   Front Street at Garfield Avenue E, Traverse City: 19 total crashes, 2 injuries

The coronavirus pandemic significantly decreased traffic volumes in 2020, with the result that the total number of crashes was down 21.9 percent from 2019, to their lowest level since 2010. That is according to preliminary and historical data from the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center. Crash-related injuries also dropped 18.6 percent from 2019 to 2020, but there was a sharp increase in deaths with 1,084 traffic fatalities in 2020, the highest number since 2007. 

While the decrease in motor vehicle crashes and injuries in 2020 was good news for drivers and passengers, those sharing the road were not so fortunate. Bicyclist, motorcyclist and pedestrian fatalities were all up in 2020, as more people were getting outside during the pandemic.