Capital, IL truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Capital: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes in Capital and Sangamon County, dangerous roads, seasonality and route safety data for fleets. Patterns use Sangamon County numbers.
Where fatal truck crashes happened
Risk scorecard
Key findings
Snapshot
Crashes by month
Garbage trucks vs all trucks
0.0 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 2.4 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Sangamon County compares with Illinois
Sangamon County against Illinois and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Sangamon County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Sangamon County | Illinois | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 53.3 | 56.0 | 49.7 | same |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 2.4 | 2.6 | 3.4 | 8% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.49 | 0.50 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.5% | 1.4% | 2.3% | 1.8× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 14.6% | 9.0% | 6.2% | 1.6× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 25.0% | 24.3% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 20.0% | 17.9% | 13.8% | 1.1× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 45.5% | 42.0% | 41.9% | 1.1× the state |
| After dark | 24.4% | 24.1% | 24.8% | same |
Compared with Illinois, Sangamon County is lower on deaths per 100 crashes. It stands out for higher garbage-truck share, on snow, slush or ice and in rain, sleet or snow.
What stands out in Capital: 2.4× change in fatal truck crashes a year within 15 miles of Capital (1.5 → 3.6).
Overview
Since 2015, 1,219 crashes involving commercial trucks have been reported in Sangamon County. They injured 598 people and killed 31.
That averages about one truck crash every 4 days in fully reported years.
With 110 truck crashes reported in Capital since 2015, this page uses Sangamon County numbers for its patterns and comparisons.
When crashes happen
The worst month is February with 12.0% of truck crashes; the quietest is April at 5.8%.
November through March accounts for 45.5% of truck crashes here, compared with 42.0% in Illinois.
By time of day, 7–8 am stands out with 7.4% of truck crashes.
Road surface: 14.6% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (Illinois: 9.0%).
Where crashes happen
Within this area, I-55 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (10). After it: SR-4 (3), I-72 (2) and SR-29 (2).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 28 crashes, 2.3% of the total, against 1.4% across Illinois.
The most garbage-truck crashes happen in October (25%).
Per 100 crashes, garbage trucks recorded 0.0 deaths compared with 2.4 for all trucks.
Route planning tips for Capital fleets
- Build extra time into February routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Look at alternatives to I-55 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- Waste haulers: October is the peak month for garbage-truck crashes in Sangamon County.
- 14.6% 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 Sangamon County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 15 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-55 | 10 |
| SR-4 | 3 |
| I-72 | 2 |
| SR-29 | 2 |
| CR-8/OLD Jacksonville Rd | 1 |
| Koke Mill Rd | 1 |
| Mansion Rd | 1 |
| North Grand Ave | 1 |
| Peoria Rd I-55 Business Loop | 1 |
| Recreation Dr | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Sangamon County) |
|---|---|
| I-55 | 454 |
| I-72 | 121 |
| Il-104 | 13 |
| Il-97 | 12 |
| Il-29 | 12 |
| I-055 | 11 |
| I-55 (Sb) | 10 |
| Veterans | 9 |
Capital at a glance
| Population | 111,140 |
| Land area | 59.5 sq mi |
| Density | 1,868 per sq mi |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Sangamon 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 | 37 | — | 1.8 |
| 2000s | 64 | +74% | 1.1 |
| 2010s | 92 | +44% | 1.9 |
| 2020s | 108 | +17% | 4.0 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 37 to 108. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. Fatal large-truck crashes: 2.0 a year in 2016–19, 4.0 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby places
Questions fleets ask about Capital
How many truck accidents are there in Capital?
Sangamon County has had 1,219 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 598 people and killing 31.
What is the most dangerous road for trucks in Capital?
NHTSA data shows I-55 with 10 fatal large-truck crashes within 15 miles of Capital since 2015, the highest of any road.
Which month has the most truck crashes in Capital?
The worst month is February: 12.0% of truck crashes in Sangamon County happen then.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in Capital?
Since 2015, Sangamon County has reported 28 garbage-truck crashes, or 2.3% of its truck crashes.
What is the truck crash rate in Capital compared with Illinois?
Per 100,000 residents, Sangamon County has 53.3 truck crashes a year; Illinois has 56.0.
How can I plan a safer truck route in Capital?
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.