Cleveland County, NC truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Cleveland 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
16 of 962 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Cleveland County compares with North Carolina
Cleveland County against North Carolina and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Cleveland County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Cleveland County | North Carolina | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 79.9 | 61.3 | 49.7 | 1.3× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 3.0 | 2.5 | 3.4 | 1.2× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.70 | 0.66 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 1.7% | 2.6% | 2.3% | 35% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 2.1% | 1.7% | 6.2% | 1.2× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 21.6% | 24.0% | 23.7% | 10% below the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 10.7% | 10.5% | 13.8% | same |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 42.4% | 41.0% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 24.1% | 20.4% | 24.8% | 1.2× the state |
Cleveland County has lower values than North Carolina for garbage-truck share and morning rush (6–10 am). It stands out for higher crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and on snow, slush or ice.
Cleveland County at a glance: US-74 6 fatal truck crashes since 2015, more than any other road in Cleveland County.
Overview
Since 2015, 962 crashes involving commercial trucks have been reported in Cleveland County. They injured 679 people and killed 27.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 4 days.
When crashes happen
August has the most truck crashes, 10.7% of the yearly total, while March has the fewest (7.0%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 42.4% of truck crashes, against 41.0% across North Carolina.
By time of day, 1–2 pm stands out with 8.1% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 2.1% of truck crashes, compared with 1.7% in North Carolina.
Where crashes happen
US-74 leads in Cleveland County with 6 fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015. After it: I-85 (4), Casey Martin Dr (1) and Dixon Blvd (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 16 crashes, 1.7% of the total, against 2.6% across North Carolina.
Route planning tips for Cleveland County fleets
- Plan August schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Cleveland County.
- Look at alternatives to US-74 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- Icy and snowy roads show up in 2.1% of truck crashes here, more than North Carolina; schedule winter checks early.
- 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 Cleveland County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (in Cleveland County) |
|---|---|
| US-74 | 6 |
| I-85 | 4 |
| Casey Martin Dr | 1 |
| Dixon Blvd | 1 |
| SR-150 | 1 |
| SR-180 | 1 |
| SR-182 | 1 |
| SR-198 | 1 |
| SR-216 | 1 |
| SR-87 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Cleveland County) |
|---|---|
| E Dixon Blvd | 65 |
| W Dixon Blvd | 31 |
| S Dekalb St | 10 |
| E Dixon Bvd | 9 |
| E Marion St | 9 |
| N Post Rd | 8 |
| Fallston Rd | 5 |
| Cherryville Rd | 4 |
Cleveland County at a glance
| Population | 102,194 |
| Land area | 464.3 sq mi |
| Density | 220 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP average) | $58,425 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Cleveland 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 | 53 | — | 2.0 |
| 2000s | 53 | -1% | 1.6 |
| 2010s | 77 | +47% | 1.5 |
| 2020s | 74 | -4% | 3.0 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 53 to 74. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. NHTSA counts 2.0 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 3.0 a year in 2020–24.
Cities, towns & communities in Cleveland County
ZIP codes in Cleveland County
Nearby counties
Questions fleets ask about Cleveland County
How many truck accidents are there in Cleveland County?
Since 2015, 962 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Cleveland County (679 injured, 27 killed).
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in Cleveland County?
Since 2015, US-74 has had the most fatal large-truck crashes in Cleveland County: 6.
Which month has the most truck crashes in Cleveland County?
August has the most truck crashes in Cleveland County, 10.7% of the yearly total.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in Cleveland County?
Since 2015, Cleveland County has reported 16 garbage-truck crashes, or 1.7% of its truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in Cleveland County compare with North Carolina?
The yearly rate is 79.9 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in Cleveland County, vs 61.3 for North Carolina.
How can I plan a safer truck route in Cleveland County?
Paste your stops into the free CurbWaste Route Planner: it scores your route against fatal-crash locations, suggests safer alternatives and flags low bridges.
2026 is a partial year. Updated October 2026.