DeKalb County, GA truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in DeKalb 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
2.3 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 1.6 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How DeKalb County compares with Georgia
DeKalb County against Georgia 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 | Georgia | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 82.0 | 62.4 | 49.7 | 1.3× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 1.6 | 3.3 | 3.4 | 52% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.47 | 0.50 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 1.9% | 2.6% | 2.3% | 28% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 0.3% | 0.5% | 6.2% | 43% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 19.3% | 22.6% | 23.7% | 15% below the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 11.8% | 11.4% | 13.8% | same |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 40.6% | 40.9% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 29.3% | 24.5% | 24.8% | 1.2× the state |
DeKalb County sits below Georgia on deaths per 100 crashes, garbage-truck share and on snow, slush or ice. Where it is higher: crashes per 100k residents / yr and after dark.
DeKalb County at a glance: 1.8× fatal truck crashes in DeKalb County per year, 2020–24 vs 2016–19 (10.6 vs 5.8).
Overview
Since 2015, 7,519 crashes involving commercial trucks have been reported in DeKalb County. They injured 3,492 people and killed 116.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly 2 truck crashes every day.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in August (9.2% of the year) and are lowest in December (7.6%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 40.6% of truck crashes, against 40.9% across Georgia.
More truck crashes happen at 2–3 pm than at any other hour (6.9%).
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 0.3% of truck crashes, compared with 0.5% in Georgia.
Where crashes happen
Within this area, I-285 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (27). Next come I-20 (15), I-85 (10) and US-23 (3).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 143 of the truck crashes here, or 1.9%, compared with 2.6% in Georgia.
The most garbage-truck crashes happen in July (13%).
Per 100 crashes, garbage trucks recorded 2.3 deaths compared with 1.6 for all trucks.
Route planning tips for DeKalb County fleets
- Build extra time into August routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Look at alternatives to I-285 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- Garbage-truck crashes here peak in July; review collection routes for that month.
- Check your own stops for crash hotspots and low bridges with the free Route Planner.
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 DeKalb County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (in DeKalb County) |
|---|---|
| I-285 | 27 |
| I-20 | 15 |
| I-85 | 10 |
| US-23 | 3 |
| SR-10 | 2 |
| CR-044200 | 1 |
| CR-085100/NORTHERN Ave | 1 |
| CR-145 River Rd | 1 |
| CR-2989 Lithonia Ind Blvd | 1 |
| CR-298900 / Lithonia Ind Blvd | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (DeKalb County) |
|---|---|
| I-285 | 266 |
| I-20 | 37 |
| I 285 Or At I 285 Ir | 36 |
| I 285 N At I 20 | 29 |
| I 285 Ir At I 285 Or | 23 |
| I-285 Or | 23 |
| I-20 West | 22 |
| I 20 W At I 20 | 22 |
DeKalb County at a glance
| Population | 770,307 |
| Land area | 267.7 sq mi |
| Density | 2,878 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP average) | $86,111 |
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 | 366 | — | 6.1 |
| 2000s | 413 | +13% | 5.6 |
| 2010s | 449 | +9% | 5.4 |
| 2020s | 710 | +58% | 10.6 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 366 to 710. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. Fatal large-truck crashes: 5.8 a year in 2016–19, 10.6 a year in 2020–24.
Cities, towns & communities in DeKalb County
ZIP codes in DeKalb County
Nearby counties
Questions fleets ask about DeKalb County
How many truck crashes happen in DeKalb County?
DeKalb County has had 7,519 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 3,492 people and killing 116.
What is the most dangerous road for trucks in DeKalb County?
NHTSA data shows I-285 with 27 fatal large-truck crashes in DeKalb County since 2015, the highest of any road.
When do most truck crashes happen in DeKalb County?
August has the most truck crashes in DeKalb County, 9.2% of the yearly total.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in DeKalb County?
Since 2015, DeKalb County has reported 143 garbage-truck crashes, or 1.9% of its truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in DeKalb County compare with Georgia?
DeKalb County records 82.0 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 62.4 across Georgia.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in DeKalb County?
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.