Elk County, KS truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Elk 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
1 of 50 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Elk County compares with Kansas
Elk County against Kansas and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Elk County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Elk County | Kansas | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 182.9 | 61.4 | 49.7 | 3.0× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 2.0 | 4.8 | 3.4 | 58% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.27 | 0.32 | 0.49 | 16% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.0% | 2.1% | 2.3% | same |
| On snow, slush or ice | 2.0% | 9.3% | 6.2% | 78% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 18.4% | 23.1% | 23.7% | 20% below the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 6.1% | 15.2% | 13.8% | 60% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 44.9% | 42.2% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 12.2% | 23.2% | 24.8% | 47% below the state |
Compared with Kansas, Elk County is lower on deaths per 100 crashes, injuries per crash and on snow, slush or ice. Where it is higher: crashes per 100k residents / yr.
What stands out in Elk County: December 16.0% of truck crashes happen in December, more than any other month.
Overview
Since 2015, 50 crashes involving commercial trucks have been reported in Elk County. They injured 13 people and killed 1.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 82 days.
When crashes happen
The worst month is December with 16.0% of truck crashes; the quietest is March at 4.0%.
The five winter months (November to March) hold 44.9% of truck crashes, against 42.2% across Kansas.
By time of day, 11 am–12 pm stands out with 16.0% of truck crashes.
2.0% of truck crashes here happened on snow, slush or ice, against 9.3% across Kansas.
Where crashes happen
Roads with fatal crashes involving a large truck in Elk County since 2015: SR-99 (1). No single road stands out.
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 1 crash, 2.0% of the total, against 2.1% across Kansas.
Route planning tips for Elk County fleets
- Plan December schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Elk County.
- 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 Elk County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (in Elk County) |
|---|---|
| SR-99 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Elk County) |
|---|---|
| Limestone | 2 |
| Rd29A | 2 |
| K-99 Milepost 39.9 | 1 |
| Rd 28 | 1 |
| Road 4 | 1 |
Elk County at a glance
| Population | 2,436 |
| Land area | 644.3 sq mi |
| Density | 4 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP average) | $61,648 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Elk 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 | 6 | — | 0.2 |
| 2000s | 6 | +1% | 0.2 |
| 2010s | 4 | -27% | 0.1 |
| 2020s | 4 | -2% | 0.2 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 6 to 4. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 0.0 a year in 2016–19 and 0.2 a year in 2020–24.
Cities, towns & communities in Elk County
ZIP codes in Elk County
Nearby counties
Questions fleets ask about Elk County
How many truck crashes happen in Elk County?
Elk County has had 50 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 13 people and killing 1.
When do most truck crashes happen in Elk County?
December has the most truck crashes in Elk County, 16.0% of the yearly total.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in Elk County?
Garbage trucks were involved in 1 reported crash in Elk County since 2015 (2.0% of truck crashes).
What is the truck crash rate in Elk County compared with Kansas?
The yearly rate is 182.9 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in Elk County, vs 61.4 for Kansas.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in Elk County?
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.