Palestine, AR truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Palestine: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes in Palestine and St. Francis County, dangerous roads, seasonality and route safety data for fleets. Patterns use St. Francis County numbers.
Where fatal truck crashes happened
Risk scorecard
Key findings
Snapshot
Crashes by month
Garbage trucks vs all trucks
4 of 1,490 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How St. Francis County compares with Arkansas
St. Francis County against Arkansas and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where St. Francis County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | St. Francis County | Arkansas | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 589.5 | 92.4 | 49.7 | 6.4× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 4.9 | 3.9 | 3.4 | 1.3× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.53 | 0.45 | 0.49 | 1.2× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 0.3% | 1.6% | 2.3% | 83% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 8.4% | 3.3% | 6.2% | 2.5× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 20.4% | 22.9% | 23.7% | 11% below the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 22.6% | 15.4% | 13.8% | 1.5× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 43.9% | 40.9% | 41.9% | 1.1× the state |
| After dark | 27.8% | 22.4% | 24.8% | 1.2× the state |
Compared with Arkansas, St. Francis County is lower on garbage-truck share and morning rush (6–10 am). It stands out for higher crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and injuries per crash.
St. Francis County at a glance: 8.4% of truck crashes happened on snow, slush or ice, vs 3.3% in Arkansas.
Overview
St. Francis County has recorded 1,490 truck crashes since 2015, with 783 people injured and 74 killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 3 days.
With 54 truck crashes reported in Palestine since 2015, this page uses St. Francis County numbers for its patterns and comparisons.
When crashes happen
March has the most truck crashes, 10.5% of the yearly total, while July has the fewest (6.8%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 43.9% of truck crashes, against 40.9% across Arkansas.
By time of day, 3–4 pm stands out with 9.3% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 8.4% of truck crashes, compared with 3.3% in Arkansas.
Where crashes happen
Within this area, I-40 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (11). After it: US-70 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
4 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 0.3% share (Arkansas: 1.6%).
Route planning tips for Palestine fleets
- Review driver schedules for March, the month with the most truck crashes.
- Check whether your routes use I-40, the road with the most fatal truck crashes in this area.
- With 8.4% of truck crashes on snow, slush or ice (above Arkansas), plan winter equipment checks early.
- Use the free Route Planner to score your route and spot low bridges before drivers head out.
About the data
This report uses the FMCSA crash file (reported crashes of trucks over 10,000 lb) and NHTSA FARS (fatal crashes). It reports the numbers without guessing at reasons.
Truck crashes by year: all trucks vs garbage trucks
Seasonality: when trucks crash in St. Francis County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-40 | 11 |
| US-70 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (St. Francis County) |
|---|---|
| I-40W | 526 |
| I-40E | 470 |
| I-40 | 306 |
| Sh1 | 26 |
| US-70 | 14 |
| US-70E | 13 |
| Cst(North Washington) | 8 |
| Sh149 | 6 |
Palestine at a glance
| Population | 473 |
| Land area | 3.4 sq mi |
| Density | 139 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP 72372) | $43,611 |
| Median home value (ZIP 72372) | $100,870 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in St. Francis 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 | 32 | — | 1.9 |
| 2000s | 65 | +105% | 3.4 |
| 2010s | 117 | +79% | 2.2 |
| 2020s | 130 | +11% | 3.4 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 32 a year in the 1990s and 130 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal large-truck crashes: 2.8 a year in 2016–19, 3.4 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby places
Questions fleets ask about Palestine
How many truck crashes happen in Palestine?
St. Francis County has had 1,490 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 783 people and killing 74.
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in Palestine?
Since 2015, I-40 has had the most fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of Palestine: 11.
When do most truck crashes happen in Palestine?
March has the most truck crashes in St. Francis County, 10.5% of the yearly total.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in Palestine?
Since 2015, St. Francis County has reported 4 garbage-truck crashes, or 0.3% of its truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in Palestine compare with Arkansas?
The yearly rate is 589.5 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in St. Francis County, vs 92.4 for Arkansas.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in Palestine?
Use the free Route Planner: enter your stops to get a risk score, safer alternatives and the low bridges on your route.
2026 is a partial year. Updated October 2026.