Rockwell, NC truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Rockwell: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes in Rockwell and Rowan County, dangerous roads, seasonality and route safety data for fleets. Patterns use Rowan County numbers.
Where fatal truck crashes happened
Risk scorecard
Key findings
Snapshot
Crashes by month
Garbage trucks vs all trucks
5.2 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 2.1 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Rowan County compares with North Carolina
Rowan County against North Carolina and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Rowan County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Rowan County | North Carolina | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 86.2 | 61.3 | 49.7 | 1.4× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 2.1 | 2.5 | 3.4 | 16% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.64 | 0.66 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 4.0% | 2.6% | 2.3% | 1.5× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 2.7% | 1.7% | 6.2% | 1.6× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 22.9% | 24.0% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 12.0% | 10.5% | 13.8% | 1.1× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 43.3% | 41.0% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 25.2% | 20.4% | 24.8% | 1.2× the state |
Rowan County has lower values than North Carolina for deaths per 100 crashes. It runs above North Carolina on crashes per 100k residents / yr, garbage-truck share and on snow, slush or ice.
What stands out in Rowan County: 2.7% share of truck crashes on snow, slush or ice (North Carolina: 1.7%).
Overview
Rowan County has recorded 1,526 truck crashes since 2015, with 990 people injured and 36 killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 3 days.
With 83 truck crashes reported in Rockwell since 2015, this page uses Rowan County numbers for its patterns and comparisons.
When crashes happen
May has the most truck crashes, 10.4% of the yearly total, while June has the fewest (7.5%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 43.3% of truck crashes, vs 41.0% for North Carolina.
The busiest hour is 2–3 pm, with 8.3% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 2.7% of truck crashes, compared with 1.7% in North Carolina.
Where crashes happen
Within this area, I-85 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (7). It is followed by Ssr-1004 Stokes Ferry Rd (2), Jake Alexander Blvd (1) and Mooresville Rd (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 61 crashes, 4.0% of the total, against 2.6% across North Carolina.
Their busiest month is May, with 18% of garbage-truck crashes.
They recorded 5.2 deaths per 100 crashes, against 2.1 for all trucks.
Route planning tips for Rockwell fleets
- Plan May schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Rowan County.
- Where you can, review stops along I-85; it has the most fatal large-truck crashes nearby.
- Garbage-truck crashes here peak in May; review collection routes for that month.
- With 2.7% of truck crashes on snow, slush or ice (above North Carolina), plan winter equipment checks early.
- Use the free Route Planner to score your route and spot low bridges before drivers head out.
About the data
Crash counts come from the FMCSA crash file (police-reported crashes involving trucks over 10,000 lb); fatal-crash locations come from NHTSA FARS. Text on this page states only what these numbers show.
Truck crashes by year: all trucks vs garbage trucks
Seasonality: when trucks crash in Rowan County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-85 | 7 |
| Ssr-1004 Stokes Ferry Rd | 2 |
| Jake Alexander Blvd | 1 |
| Mooresville Rd | 1 |
| S Jake Alexander | 1 |
| SR-152 | 1 |
| Ssr-1002 | 1 |
| Ssr-1221 Old Beatty Ford Rd | 1 |
| US-29 | 1 |
| US-601 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Rowan County) |
|---|---|
| W Jake Alexander Blvd | 22 |
| Peeler Rd | 22 |
| Statesville Blvd | 16 |
| Jake Alexander Blvd | 15 |
| E Innes St | 10 |
| W Innes St | 9 |
| Mooresville Rd | 7 |
| S Main St | 6 |
Rockwell at a glance
| Population | 2,390 |
| Land area | 1.8 sq mi |
| Density | 1,293 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP 28138) | $66,896 |
| Median home value (ZIP 28138) | $218,703 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Rowan 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 | 77 | — | 3.4 |
| 2000s | 89 | +15% | 2.7 |
| 2010s | 119 | +34% | 2.4 |
| 2020s | 115 | -3% | 4.2 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 77 to 115. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. Fatal large-truck crashes: 3.0 a year in 2016–19, 4.2 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby places
Questions fleets ask about Rockwell
How common are truck crashes in Rockwell?
Since 2015, 1,526 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Rowan County (990 injured, 36 killed).
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in Rockwell?
I-85 had 7 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of Rockwell since 2015, more than any other road.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in Rockwell?
Truck crashes in Rowan County peak in May, with 10.4% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in Rockwell?
Garbage trucks were involved in 61 reported crashes in Rowan County since 2015 (4.0% of truck crashes).
How does Rockwell compare with North Carolina for truck crashes?
Per 100,000 residents, Rowan County has 86.2 truck crashes a year; North Carolina has 61.3.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in Rockwell?
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.