DeKalb County, IL 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
15 of 481 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How DeKalb County compares with Illinois
DeKalb County against Illinois 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 | Illinois | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 41.0 | 56.0 | 49.7 | 27% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 4.4 | 2.6 | 3.4 | 1.7× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.55 | 0.50 | 0.49 | 1.1× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 3.1% | 1.4% | 2.3% | 2.3× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 10.1% | 9.0% | 6.2% | 1.1× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 27.8% | 24.3% | 23.7% | 1.1× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 16.2% | 17.9% | 13.8% | 9% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 40.0% | 42.0% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 19.3% | 24.1% | 24.8% | 20% below the state |
DeKalb County sits below Illinois on crashes per 100k residents / yr, in rain, sleet or snow and after dark. Where it is higher: deaths per 100 crashes, injuries per crash and garbage-truck share.
What stands out in DeKalb County: 1 in 33 of truck crashes here involve garbage trucks: 3.1%, vs 1.4% in Illinois.
Overview
Police reported 481 crashes involving commercial trucks in DeKalb County since 2015: 269 people were injured and 22 were killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 9 days.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in July (11.4% of the year) and are lowest in April (6.0%).
November through March accounts for 40.0% of truck crashes here, compared with 42.0% in Illinois.
By time of day, 8–9 am stands out with 8.5% of truck crashes.
Road surface: 10.1% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (Illinois: 9.0%).
Where crashes happen
The deadliest road for trucks in DeKalb County is SR-23, with 6 fatal large-truck crashes since 2015. Next come I-88 (2), Peace Rd (2) and SR-64 (2).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 15 of the truck crashes here, or 3.1%, compared with 1.4% in Illinois.
Route planning tips for DeKalb County fleets
- Plan July schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in DeKalb County.
- Check whether your routes use SR-23, the road with the most fatal truck crashes in this area.
- The morning rush (6–10 am) holds 27.8% of truck crashes here, more than Illinois; adjust start times where you can.
- 10.1% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice, above Illinois; 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 DeKalb County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (in DeKalb County) |
|---|---|
| SR-23 | 6 |
| I-88 | 2 |
| Peace Rd | 2 |
| SR-64 | 2 |
| East Sandwich Rd | 1 |
| Lee Rd | 1 |
| Nelson Rd | 1 |
| Plank Rd | 1 |
| SR-38 | 1 |
| Sr- 23 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (DeKalb County) |
|---|---|
| I-88 | 56 |
| Peace Rd | 26 |
| State Rte 23 | 17 |
| E Lincoln Hwy | 15 |
| Perry Rd | 13 |
| S Peace Rd | 11 |
| State Rte 64 | 11 |
| Glidden Rd | 9 |
DeKalb County at a glance
| Population | 101,335 |
| Land area | 631.3 sq mi |
| Density | 161 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP average) | $73,976 |
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 | 15 | — | 1.0 |
| 2000s | 37 | +142% | 1.2 |
| 2010s | 38 | +3% | 0.8 |
| 2020s | 44 | +16% | 3.2 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 15 a year in the 1990s and 44 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. NHTSA counts 0.5 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 3.2 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?
481 truck crashes have been reported in DeKalb County since 2015, with 22 deaths and 269 injuries.
What is the most dangerous road for trucks in DeKalb County?
SR-23 had 6 fatal crashes involving a large truck in DeKalb County since 2015, more than any other road.
Which month has the most truck crashes in DeKalb County?
Truck crashes in DeKalb County peak in July, with 11.4% of the year's crashes.
Are garbage truck crashes common in DeKalb County?
15 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in DeKalb County since 2015, 3.1% of all truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in DeKalb County compare with Illinois?
The yearly rate is 41.0 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in DeKalb County, vs 56.0 for Illinois.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in DeKalb 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.