Hardee County, FL truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Hardee County: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes, dangerous roads, seasonality and route safety data for fleets.
Where fatal truck crashes happened
Risk scorecard
Key findings
Snapshot
Crashes by month
Garbage trucks vs all trucks
7 of 403 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Hardee County compares with Florida
Hardee County against Florida and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Hardee County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Hardee County | Florida | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 133.9 | 37.4 | 49.7 | 3.6× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 7.6 | 4.1 | 3.4 | 1.9× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.53 | 0.51 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 1.3% | 3.8% | 2.3% | 66% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 0.3% | 0.1% | 6.2% | 3.2× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 26.6% | 25.2% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 5.5% | 8.9% | 13.8% | 39% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 46.9% | 42.1% | 41.9% | 1.1× the state |
| After dark | 25.0% | 24.2% | 24.8% | same |
Compared with Florida, Hardee County is lower on garbage-truck share and in rain, sleet or snow. Where it is higher: crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and on snow, slush or ice.
What stands out in Hardee County: 0.3% on snowy, slushy or icy roads, against 0.1% across Florida.
Overview
Hardee County has recorded 403 truck crashes since 2015, with 214 people injured and 34 killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 10 days.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in April (11.2% of the year) and are lowest in September (4.5%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 46.9% of truck crashes, against 42.1% across Florida.
The busiest hour is 2–3 pm, with 9.4% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 0.3% of truck crashes, compared with 0.1% in Florida.
Where crashes happen
Within this area, SR-64 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (9). It is followed by US-17 (8), SR-66 (6) and SR-62 (2).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 7 crashes, 1.7% of the total, against 3.8% across Florida.
Route planning tips for Hardee County fleets
- Plan April schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Hardee County.
- Look at alternatives to SR-64 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- 0.3% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice, above Florida; plan winter equipment checks before the season.
- Check your own stops for crash hotspots and low bridges with the free Route Planner.
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 Hardee County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (in Hardee County) |
|---|---|
| SR-64 | 9 |
| US-17 | 8 |
| SR-66 | 6 |
| SR-62 | 2 |
| CR-663 | 1 |
| SR-54 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Hardee County) |
|---|---|
| US-17 | 51 |
| SR-64 | 35 |
| SR-66 | 33 |
| State Road 64 | 28 |
| SR-35 | 26 |
| SR-62 | 21 |
| State Road 66 | 21 |
| Us 17 (Sr 35) | 15 |
Hardee County at a glance
| Population | 26,068 |
| Land area | 637.6 sq mi |
| Density | 41 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP average) | $62,747 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Hardee 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 | 7 | — | 2.0 |
| 2000s | 18 | +170% | 1.7 |
| 2010s | 27 | +51% | 2.0 |
| 2020s | 36 | +32% | 3.8 |
In the 1990s about 7 truck crashes a year were reported; in the 2020s, about 36. Reporting coverage also changed between these periods. Fatal large-truck crashes: 2.0 a year in 2016–19, 3.8 a year in 2020–24.
Cities, towns & communities in Hardee County
ZIP codes in Hardee County
Nearby counties
Questions fleets ask about Hardee County
How many truck crashes happen in Hardee County?
403 truck crashes have been reported in Hardee County since 2015, with 34 deaths and 214 injuries.
What is the most dangerous road for trucks in Hardee County?
SR-64 had 9 fatal crashes involving a large truck in Hardee County since 2015, more than any other road.
When do most truck crashes happen in Hardee County?
April has the most truck crashes in Hardee County, 11.2% of the yearly total.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in Hardee County?
7 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Hardee County since 2015, 1.7% of all truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in Hardee County compare with Florida?
Hardee County records 133.9 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 37.4 across Florida.
How can I plan a safer truck route in Hardee County?
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.