Sylvania, AL truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Sylvania: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes in Sylvania and DeKalb County, dangerous roads, seasonality and route safety data for fleets. Patterns use DeKalb County numbers.
Where fatal truck crashes happened
Risk scorecard
Key findings
Snapshot
Crashes by month
Garbage trucks vs all trucks
15 of 569 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How DeKalb County compares with Alabama
DeKalb County against Alabama and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where DeKalb County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | DeKalb County | Alabama | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 66.5 | 80.8 | 49.7 | 18% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 6.4 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 1.9× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.40 | 0.46 | 0.49 | 13% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.6% | 2.3% | 2.3% | 1.2× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 0.9% | 0.8% | 6.2% | 1.2× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 18.7% | 22.5% | 23.7% | 17% below the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 9.7% | 12.3% | 13.8% | 21% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 35.7% | 40.8% | 41.9% | 12% below the state |
| After dark | 27.7% | 23.7% | 24.8% | 1.2× the state |
DeKalb County sits below Alabama on crashes per 100k residents / yr, injuries per crash and morning rush (6–10 am). It runs above Alabama on deaths per 100 crashes, garbage-truck share and on snow, slush or ice.
What stands out in DeKalb County: 6.4 deaths per 100 truck crashes, vs 3.4 in Alabama.
Overview
DeKalb County has recorded 569 truck crashes since 2015, with 230 people injured and 36 killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 8 days.
With 6 truck crashes reported in Sylvania since 2015, this page uses DeKalb County numbers for its patterns and comparisons.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in September (13.0% of the year) and are lowest in January (5.8%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 35.7% of truck crashes, against 40.8% across Alabama.
More truck crashes happen at 1–2 pm than at any other hour (7.7%).
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 0.9% of truck crashes, compared with 0.8% in Alabama.
Where crashes happen
Within this area, SR-35 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (5). Next come SR-40 (2), I-59 (1) and Mccurdy Ave S (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 15 crashes, 2.6% of the total, against 2.3% across Alabama.
Route planning tips for Sylvania fleets
- Build extra time into September routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Look at alternatives to SR-35 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- With 0.9% of truck crashes on snow, slush or ice (above Alabama), plan winter equipment checks early.
- Paste your stops into the free Route Planner to see the risk score, safer alternatives and low bridges.
About the data
Sources: the FMCSA crash file for all reported truck crashes and NHTSA FARS for fatal crashes with a large truck. Every statement here comes straight from those numbers.
Truck crashes by year: all trucks vs garbage trucks
Seasonality: when trucks crash in DeKalb County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| SR-35 | 5 |
| SR-40 | 2 |
| I-59 | 1 |
| Mccurdy Ave S | 1 |
| SR-71 | 1 |
| SR-75 | 1 |
| Sr-Gault Ave N | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (DeKalb County) |
|---|---|
| I-59 | 202 |
| Al-68 | 52 |
| Al-75 | 41 |
| Al-117 | 37 |
| Al-35 | 26 |
| US-11 | 10 |
| Main Street East | 8 |
| Wallace Av Ne | 8 |
Sylvania at a glance
| Population | 1,824 |
| Land area | 8.5 sq mi |
| Density | 214 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP 35988) | $53,684 |
| Median home value (ZIP 35988) | $161,951 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in DeKalb County since the 1990s
Combines the FMCSA crash file (all reported truck crashes, real coverage from about 1990) with NHTSA FARS (fatal crashes involving a large truck, 1982–2024).
| Decade | Truck crashes / yr | Change | Fatal crashes / yr (FARS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 40 | — | 2.5 |
| 2000s | 47 | +18% | 2.4 |
| 2010s | 46 | -3% | 1.5 |
| 2020s | 51 | +10% | 3.4 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 40 a year in the 1990s and 51 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal large-truck crashes: 2.0 a year in 2016–19, 3.4 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby places
Questions fleets ask about Sylvania
How many truck crashes happen in Sylvania?
569 truck crashes have been reported in DeKalb County since 2015, with 36 deaths and 230 injuries.
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in Sylvania?
SR-35 had 5 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of Sylvania since 2015, more than any other road.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in Sylvania?
September has the most truck crashes in DeKalb County, 13.0% of the yearly total.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in Sylvania?
Garbage trucks were involved in 15 reported crashes in DeKalb County since 2015 (2.6% of truck crashes).
How does Sylvania compare with Alabama for truck crashes?
Per 100,000 residents, DeKalb County has 66.5 truck crashes a year; Alabama has 80.8.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in Sylvania?
Paste your stops into the free CurbWaste Route Planner: it scores your route against fatal-crash locations, suggests safer alternatives and flags low bridges.
2026 is a partial year. Updated October 2026.