Cherokee County, NC truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Cherokee 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
0 of 116 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Cherokee County compares with North Carolina
Cherokee County against North Carolina and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Cherokee County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Cherokee County | North Carolina | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 33.8 | 61.3 | 49.7 | 45% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 2.7 | 2.5 | 3.4 | 1.1× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.56 | 0.66 | 0.49 | 15% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 0.0% | 2.6% | 2.3% | 100% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 3.5% | 1.7% | 6.2% | 2.1× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 20.3% | 24.0% | 23.7% | 15% below the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 10.6% | 10.5% | 13.8% | same |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 50.4% | 41.0% | 41.9% | 1.2× the state |
| After dark | 17.7% | 20.4% | 24.8% | 13% below the state |
Compared with North Carolina, Cherokee County is lower on crashes per 100k residents / yr, injuries per crash and garbage-truck share. It runs above North Carolina on deaths per 100 crashes, on snow, slush or ice and winter months (nov–mar).
The headline for Cherokee County: 3.5% of truck crashes happened on snow, slush or ice, vs 1.7% in North Carolina.
Overview
Police reported 116 crashes involving commercial trucks in Cherokee County since 2015: 67 people were injured and 3 were killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 36 days.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in December (16.4% of the year) and are lowest in March (2.6%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 50.4% of truck crashes, vs 41.0% for North Carolina.
More truck crashes happen at 12–1 pm than at any other hour (9.5%).
3.5% of truck crashes here happened on snow, slush or ice, against 1.7% across North Carolina.
Where crashes happen
Fatal large-truck crashes in Cherokee County since 2015 were spread across roads: US-19 (3) and US-64 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
FMCSA lists no garbage-truck crashes in Cherokee County since 2015.
Route planning tips for Cherokee County fleets
- Review driver schedules for December, the month with the most truck crashes.
- Icy and snowy roads show up in 3.5% of truck crashes here, more than North Carolina; schedule winter checks early.
- 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 Cherokee County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (in Cherokee County) |
|---|---|
| US-19 | 3 |
| US-64 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Cherokee County) |
|---|---|
| Big D Station | 1 |
| Five Forks Dr | 1 |
| Haywagon Ln | 1 |
| Hiwassee St | 1 |
| Holly Berry Drive | 1 |
| Hot Spot | 1 |
| Kent St | 1 |
| Kent Street | 1 |
Cherokee County at a glance
| Population | 30,373 |
| Land area | 455.5 sq mi |
| Density | 67 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP average) | $53,873 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Cherokee 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 | 3 | — | 0.0 |
| 2000s | 8 | +172% | 0.4 |
| 2010s | 10 | +30% | 0.4 |
| 2020s | 10 | -2% | 0.4 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 3 a year in the 1990s and 10 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal large-truck crashes: 0.5 a year in 2016–19, 0.4 a year in 2020–24.
Cities, towns & communities in Cherokee County
ZIP codes in Cherokee County
Nearby counties
Questions fleets ask about Cherokee County
How common are truck crashes in Cherokee County?
116 truck crashes have been reported in Cherokee County since 2015, with 3 deaths and 67 injuries.
Which month has the most truck crashes in Cherokee County?
December has the most truck crashes in Cherokee County, 16.4% of the yearly total.
Are garbage truck crashes common in Cherokee County?
Garbage trucks were involved in 0 reported crashes in Cherokee County since 2015 (0.0% of truck crashes).
How does Cherokee County compare with North Carolina for truck crashes?
The yearly rate is 33.8 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in Cherokee County, vs 61.3 for North Carolina.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in Cherokee 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.