Putnam, CT truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Putnam: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes in Putnam and Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region, dangerous roads, seasonality and route safety data for fleets. Patterns use Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region numbers.
Where fatal truck crashes happened
Risk scorecard
Key findings
Snapshot
Crashes by month
Garbage trucks vs all trucks
15 of 433 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region compares with Connecticut
Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region against Connecticut and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region | Connecticut | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 39.6 | 40.2 | 49.7 | same |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 5.9 | 2.2 | 3.4 | 2.7× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.41 | 0.39 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 3.6% | 3.3% | 2.3% | 1.1× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 15.2% | 6.2% | 6.2% | 2.5× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 24.8% | 24.4% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 16.3% | 14.1% | 13.8% | 1.2× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 44.7% | 41.3% | 41.9% | 1.1× the state |
| After dark | 28.7% | 28.0% | 24.8% | same |
It stands out for higher deaths per 100 crashes, garbage-truck share and on snow, slush or ice.
Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region at a glance: 15.2% on snowy, slushy or icy roads, against 6.2% across Connecticut.
Overview
Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region has recorded 433 truck crashes since 2015, with 179 people injured and 24 killed.
That averages about one truck crash every 9 days in fully reported years.
Putnam had 47 reported truck crashes since 2015, too few for reliable patterns, so the charts and findings on this page use Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region numbers.
When crashes happen
December has the most truck crashes, 12.5% of the yearly total, while November has the fewest (4.8%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 44.7% of truck crashes, vs 41.3% for Connecticut.
By time of day, 2–3 pm stands out with 7.9% of truck crashes.
15.2% of truck crashes here happened on snow, slush or ice, against 6.2% across Connecticut.
Where crashes happen
The deadliest road for trucks within 10 miles of Putnam is I-395, with 5 fatal large-truck crashes since 2015. It is followed by US-44 (2), US-6 (2) and Prince Hill Road (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
15 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 3.5% share (Connecticut: 3.3%).
Route planning tips for Putnam fleets
- Plan December schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region.
- Look at alternatives to I-395 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- 15.2% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice, above Connecticut; plan winter equipment checks before the season.
- Paste your stops into the free Route Planner to see the risk score, safer alternatives and low bridges.
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.
Reporting was incomplete in 2018, so those years are greyed out and left out of rates and comparisons.
Truck crashes by year: all trucks vs garbage trucks
Seasonality: when trucks crash in Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-395 | 5 |
| US-44 | 2 |
| US-6 | 2 |
| Prince Hill Road | 1 |
| SR-101 | 1 |
| SR-169 | 1 |
| SR-197 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region) |
|---|---|
| I-395 | 32 |
| I-84 | 9 |
| Green Hollow Rd | 4 |
| SR-6 | 4 |
| Wauregan Rd | 3 |
| SR-44 | 3 |
| Hartford Pike | 3 |
| Exit 73 I 84 | 3 |
Putnam at a glance
| Population | 9,407 |
| Land area | 3.9 sq mi |
| Density | 2,413 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP 06260) | $70,502 |
| Median home value (ZIP 06260) | $269,318 |
Historical data: truck crashes in Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region 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 | 22 | — | 0.0 |
| 2000s | 29 | +32% | 1.2 |
| 2010s | 30 | +5% | 1.2 |
| 2020s | 38 | +27% | 2.6 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 22 a year in the 1990s and 38 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. NHTSA counts 1.0 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 2.6 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby places
Questions fleets ask about Putnam
How common are truck crashes in Putnam?
433 truck crashes have been reported in Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region since 2015, with 24 deaths and 179 injuries.
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in Putnam?
Since 2015, I-395 has had the most fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of Putnam: 5.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in Putnam?
December has the most truck crashes in Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region, 12.5% of the yearly total.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in Putnam?
Garbage trucks were involved in 15 reported crashes in Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region since 2015 (3.5% of truck crashes).
How does Putnam compare with Connecticut for truck crashes?
Per 100,000 residents, Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region has 39.6 truck crashes a year; Connecticut has 40.2.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in Putnam?
Use the free Route Planner: enter your stops to get a risk score, safer alternatives and the low bridges on your route.
Crash reporting to FMCSA was incomplete in 2018; those years are greyed out and left out of rates. 2026 is a partial year. Updated October 2026.