Preston, CT truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Preston: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes in Preston and Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region, dangerous roads, seasonality and route safety data for fleets. Patterns use Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region numbers.
Where fatal truck crashes happened
Risk scorecard
Key findings
Snapshot
Crashes by month
Garbage trucks vs all trucks
4.4 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 2.7 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region compares with Connecticut
Southeastern 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 Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region | Connecticut | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 30.0 | 40.2 | 49.7 | 25% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 2.7 | 2.2 | 3.4 | 1.2× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.41 | 0.39 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 4.8% | 3.3% | 2.3% | 1.5× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 8.6% | 6.2% | 6.2% | 1.4× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 24.9% | 24.4% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 13.3% | 14.1% | 13.8% | same |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 42.2% | 41.3% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 23.4% | 28.0% | 24.8% | 16% below the state |
Compared with Connecticut, Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region is lower on crashes per 100k residents / yr and after dark. It runs above Connecticut on deaths per 100 crashes, garbage-truck share and on snow, slush or ice.
The headline for Preston: I-395 4 fatal truck crashes since 2015, more than any other road within 10 miles of Preston.
Overview
Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region has recorded 1,002 truck crashes since 2015, with 419 people injured and 26 killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 4 days.
Preston had 10 reported truck crashes since 2015, too few for reliable patterns, so the charts and findings on this page use Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region numbers.
When crashes happen
January has the most truck crashes, 10.9% of the yearly total, while November has the fewest (5.9%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 42.2% of truck crashes, vs 41.3% for Connecticut.
More truck crashes happen at 2–3 pm than at any other hour (8.9%).
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 8.6% of truck crashes, compared with 6.2% in Connecticut.
Where crashes happen
I-395 leads within 10 miles of Preston with 4 fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015. Next come SR-32 (2), SR-138 (1) and SR-82 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 47 crashes, 4.7% of the total, against 3.3% across Connecticut.
The most garbage-truck crashes happen in January (15%).
Per 100 crashes, garbage trucks recorded 4.4 deaths compared with 2.7 for all trucks.
Route planning tips for Preston fleets
- Plan January schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region.
- Look at alternatives to I-395 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- Waste haulers: January is the peak month for garbage-truck crashes in Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region.
- 8.6% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice, above Connecticut; plan winter equipment checks before the season.
- 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 Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-395 | 4 |
| SR-32 | 2 |
| SR-138 | 1 |
| SR-82 | 1 |
| Ts-Champion Rd | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region) |
|---|---|
| I-95 | 64 |
| I-395 | 42 |
| SR-2 | 15 |
| SR-32 | 13 |
| Rte 85 | 5 |
| Liberty St | 5 |
| Fitchville Rd | 4 |
| Mitchell St | 4 |
Preston at a glance
| Population | 4,855 |
| Land area | 30.8 sq mi |
| Density | 157 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP 06365) | $117,045 |
| Median home value (ZIP 06365) | $362,237 |
Historical data: truck crashes in Southeastern 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 | 53 | — | 0.0 |
| 2000s | 71 | +34% | 1.9 |
| 2010s | 66 | -6% | 2.2 |
| 2020s | 84 | +27% | 2.0 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 53 a year in the 1990s and 84 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. NHTSA counts 2.0 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 2.0 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby places
Questions fleets ask about Preston
How common are truck crashes in Preston?
1,002 truck crashes have been reported in Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region since 2015, with 26 deaths and 419 injuries.
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in Preston?
I-395 had 4 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of Preston since 2015, more than any other road.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in Preston?
The worst month is January: 10.9% of truck crashes in Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region happen then.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in Preston?
47 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region since 2015, 4.7% of all truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in Preston compare with Connecticut?
The yearly rate is 30.0 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region, vs 40.2 for Connecticut.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in Preston?
The free Route Planner takes your stops and returns a route risk score, safer alternatives and low-bridge warnings.
2026 is a partial year. Updated October 2026.