Cedar County, IA truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Cedar 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 592 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Cedar County compares with Iowa
Cedar County against Iowa and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Cedar County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Cedar County | Iowa | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 273.8 | 68.1 | 49.7 | 4.0× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 3.6 | 3.5 | 3.4 | same |
| Injuries per crash | 0.37 | 0.41 | 0.49 | 10% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 1.3% | 2.2% | 2.3% | 41% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 26.2% | 18.7% | 6.2% | 1.4× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 22.6% | 24.0% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 24.8% | 15.1% | 13.8% | 1.6× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 53.0% | 45.4% | 41.9% | 1.2× the state |
| After dark | 29.1% | 23.1% | 24.8% | 1.3× the state |
Cedar County has lower values than Iowa for injuries per crash and garbage-truck share. Where it is higher: crashes per 100k residents / yr, on snow, slush or ice and in rain, sleet or snow.
What stands out in Cedar County: 24.8% share of truck crashes in rain, sleet or snow (Iowa: 15.1%).
Overview
Police reported 592 crashes involving commercial trucks in Cedar County since 2015: 221 people were injured and 20 were killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 7 days.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in January (14.0% of the year) and are lowest in April (5.1%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 53.0% of truck crashes, vs 45.4% for Iowa.
More truck crashes happen at 4–5 pm than at any other hour (7.4%).
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 26.2% of truck crashes, compared with 18.7% in Iowa.
Where crashes happen
Within this area, I-80 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (9). Next come SR-38 (3) and Ts-115th St (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 7 crashes, 1.2% of the total, against 2.2% across Iowa.
Route planning tips for Cedar County fleets
- Review driver schedules for January, the month with the most truck crashes.
- Look at alternatives to I-80 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- Icy and snowy roads show up in 26.2% of truck crashes here, more than Iowa; schedule winter 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 Cedar County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (in Cedar County) |
|---|---|
| I-80 | 9 |
| SR-38 | 3 |
| Ts-115th St | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Cedar County) |
|---|---|
| I-80 | 51 |
| Interstate 80/I 80 | 24 |
| US-30 | 12 |
| Ia 38 | 7 |
| I80 Wb 255.35 | 5 |
| I 80 W / Mm 276 | 5 |
| I 80 W Mm 257 | 4 |
| I 80 W Mm 265.3 | 4 |
Cedar County at a glance
| Population | 18,231 |
| Land area | 579.5 sq mi |
| Density | 31 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP average) | $82,794 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Cedar 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 | 19 | — | 1.6 |
| 2000s | 37 | +90% | 1.5 |
| 2010s | 36 | -2% | 0.8 |
| 2020s | 55 | +52% | 1.6 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 19 a year in the 1990s and 55 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal large-truck crashes: 1.0 a year in 2016–19, 1.6 a year in 2020–24.
Cities, towns & communities in Cedar County
ZIP codes in Cedar County
Nearby counties
Questions fleets ask about Cedar County
How many truck accidents are there in Cedar County?
592 truck crashes have been reported in Cedar County since 2015, with 20 deaths and 221 injuries.
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in Cedar County?
NHTSA data shows I-80 with 9 fatal large-truck crashes in Cedar County since 2015, the highest of any road.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in Cedar County?
January has the most truck crashes in Cedar County, 14.0% of the yearly total.
Are garbage truck crashes common in Cedar County?
7 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Cedar County since 2015, 1.2% of all truck crashes.
How does Cedar County compare with Iowa for truck crashes?
Cedar County records 273.8 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 68.1 across Iowa.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in Cedar County?
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.