St. Matthews, KY truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in St. Matthews: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes in St. Matthews and Jefferson County, dangerous roads, seasonality and route safety data for fleets. Patterns use Jefferson County numbers.
Where fatal truck crashes happened
Risk scorecard
Key findings
Snapshot
Crashes by month
Garbage trucks vs all trucks
4.4 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 2.4 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Jefferson County compares with Kentucky
Jefferson County against Kentucky and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Jefferson County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Jefferson County | Kentucky | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 54.8 | 68.4 | 49.7 | 20% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 2.4 | 3.5 | 3.4 | 31% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.56 | 0.46 | 0.49 | 1.2× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.8% | 2.6% | 2.3% | same |
| On snow, slush or ice | 2.2% | 5.0% | 6.2% | 56% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 25.0% | 22.9% | 23.7% | 1.1× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 15.3% | 17.5% | 13.8% | 13% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 40.4% | 41.0% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 22.8% | 24.4% | 24.8% | same |
Compared with Kentucky, Jefferson County is lower on crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and on snow, slush or ice. It stands out for higher injuries per crash and morning rush (6–10 am).
What stands out in St. Matthews: I-65 17 fatal truck crashes since 2015, more than any other road within 10 miles of St. Matthews.
Overview
Jefferson County has recorded 5,148 truck crashes since 2015, with 2,856 people injured and 126 killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about 1 truck crash a day.
With 44 truck crashes reported in St. Matthews since 2015, this page uses Jefferson County numbers for its patterns and comparisons.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in August (9.7% of the year) and are lowest in December (7.2%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 40.4% of truck crashes, against 41.0% across Kentucky.
The busiest hour is 8–9 am, with 7.5% of truck crashes.
Road surface: 2.2% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (Kentucky: 5.0%).
Where crashes happen
Within this area, I-65 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (17). Next come I-64 (13), I-264 (10) and I-265 (6).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 146 crashes, 2.8% of the total, against 2.6% across Kentucky.
Their busiest month is June, with 12% of garbage-truck crashes.
They recorded 4.4 deaths per 100 crashes, against 2.4 for all trucks.
Route planning tips for St. Matthews fleets
- Plan August schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Jefferson County.
- Check whether your routes use I-65, the road with the most fatal truck crashes in this area.
- Waste haulers: June is the peak month for garbage-truck crashes in Jefferson County.
- The morning rush (6–10 am) holds 25.0% of truck crashes here, more than Kentucky; adjust start times where you can.
- 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 Jefferson County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-65 | 17 |
| I-64 | 13 |
| I-264 | 10 |
| I-265 | 6 |
| I-71 | 5 |
| SR-1747 | 5 |
| SR-1065 | 3 |
| US-31E | 3 |
| SR-1020 | 2 |
| SR-155 | 2 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Jefferson County) |
|---|---|
| I-0065 | 991 |
| I-0264 | 555 |
| I-0064 | 506 |
| I-0265 | 358 |
| I-0071 | 327 |
| US-0031W | 166 |
| Ky1934 | 150 |
| Ky1747 | 129 |
St. Matthews at a glance
| Population | 17,806 |
| Land area | 4.4 sq mi |
| Density | 4,039 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP 40207) | $101,898 |
| Median home value (ZIP 40207) | $419,934 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Jefferson 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 | 233 | — | 6.7 |
| 2000s | 296 | +27% | 6.3 |
| 2010s | 427 | +44% | 7.3 |
| 2020s | 406 | -5% | 10.4 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 233 to 406. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. NHTSA counts 10.5 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 10.4 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby places
Questions fleets ask about St. Matthews
How many truck crashes happen in St. Matthews?
Since 2015, 5,148 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Jefferson County (2,856 injured, 126 killed).
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in St. Matthews?
I-65 had 17 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of St. Matthews since 2015, more than any other road.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in St. Matthews?
Truck crashes in Jefferson County peak in August, with 9.7% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in St. Matthews?
Garbage trucks were involved in 146 reported crashes in Jefferson County since 2015 (2.8% of truck crashes).
How does St. Matthews compare with Kentucky for truck crashes?
The yearly rate is 54.8 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in Jefferson County, vs 68.4 for Kentucky.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in St. Matthews?
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.