Waltham, IL truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Waltham: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes in Waltham and LaSalle County, dangerous roads, seasonality and route safety data for fleets. Patterns use LaSalle County numbers.
Where fatal truck crashes happened
Risk scorecard
Key findings
Snapshot
Crashes by month
Garbage trucks vs all trucks
8 of 1,266 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How LaSalle County compares with Illinois
LaSalle County against Illinois and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where LaSalle County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | LaSalle County | Illinois | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 101.1 | 56.0 | 49.7 | 1.8× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 4.6 | 2.6 | 3.4 | 1.8× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.46 | 0.50 | 0.49 | 8% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 0.7% | 1.4% | 2.3% | 51% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 16.8% | 9.0% | 6.2% | 1.9× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 23.7% | 24.3% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 21.2% | 17.9% | 13.8% | 1.2× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 44.2% | 42.0% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 26.4% | 24.1% | 24.8% | 1.1× the state |
LaSalle County has lower values than Illinois for injuries per crash and garbage-truck share. It runs above Illinois on crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and on snow, slush or ice.
LaSalle County at a glance: 16.8% of truck crashes happened on snow, slush or ice, vs 9.0% in Illinois.
Overview
Since 2015, 1,266 crashes involving commercial trucks have been reported in LaSalle County. They injured 578 people and killed 56.
That averages about one truck crash every 3 days in fully reported years.
With 60 truck crashes reported in Waltham since 2015, this page uses LaSalle County numbers for its patterns and comparisons.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in January (11.4% of the year) and are lowest in July (6.2%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 44.2% of truck crashes, vs 42.0% for Illinois.
By time of day, 10–11 am stands out with 6.9% of truck crashes.
Road surface: 16.8% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (Illinois: 9.0%).
Where crashes happen
Within this area, I-80 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (4). Next come SR-23 (2), SR-251 (2) and Cr- 42 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
8 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 0.6% share (Illinois: 1.4%).
Route planning tips for Waltham fleets
- Plan January schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in LaSalle County.
- Where you can, review stops along I-80; it has the most fatal large-truck crashes nearby.
- 16.8% 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 LaSalle County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-80 | 4 |
| SR-23 | 2 |
| SR-251 | 2 |
| Cr- 42 | 1 |
| E 12th Rd | 1 |
| E 8th Rd | 1 |
| SR-178 | 1 |
| US-52 | 1 |
| US-6 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (LaSalle County) |
|---|---|
| I-80 | 424 |
| I-39 | 227 |
| Columbus St | 11 |
| SR-251 | 11 |
| I-080 | 9 |
| E 8Th Rd | 9 |
| Il Rt 71 | 8 |
| US-34 | 8 |
Waltham at a glance
| Population | 416 |
| Land area | 36.0 sq mi |
| Density | 12 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP 61373) | $109,000 |
| Median home value (ZIP 61373) | $238,297 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in LaSalle 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 | 34 | — | 2.4 |
| 2000s | 74 | +120% | 3.7 |
| 2010s | 100 | +35% | 3.1 |
| 2020s | 106 | +6% | 3.6 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 34 a year in the 1990s and 106 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal large-truck crashes: 3.2 a year in 2016–19, 3.6 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby places
Questions fleets ask about Waltham
How many truck crashes happen in Waltham?
1,266 truck crashes have been reported in LaSalle County since 2015, with 56 deaths and 578 injuries.
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in Waltham?
I-80 had 4 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of Waltham since 2015, more than any other road.
When do most truck crashes happen in Waltham?
The worst month is January: 11.4% of truck crashes in LaSalle County happen then.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in Waltham?
Since 2015, LaSalle County has reported 8 garbage-truck crashes, or 0.6% of its truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in Waltham compare with Illinois?
Per 100,000 residents, LaSalle County has 101.1 truck crashes a year; Illinois has 56.0.
How can I plan a safer truck route in Waltham?
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.