Cary, NC truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Cary: 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 489 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Cary compares with North Carolina
Cary against North Carolina and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Cary stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Cary | North Carolina | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 22.9 | 61.3 | 49.7 | 63% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 0.9 | 2.5 | 3.4 | 64% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.48 | 0.66 | 0.49 | 27% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 3.5% | 2.6% | 2.3% | 1.3× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 1.3% | 1.7% | 6.2% | 24% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 28.5% | 24.0% | 23.7% | 1.2× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 10.0% | 10.5% | 13.8% | same |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 41.7% | 41.0% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 10.7% | 20.4% | 24.8% | 48% below the state |
Compared with North Carolina, Cary is lower on crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and injuries per crash. It stands out for higher garbage-truck share and morning rush (6–10 am).
The headline for Cary: I-40 8 fatal truck crashes since 2015, more than any other road within 15 miles of Cary.
Overview
Cary has recorded 489 truck crashes since 2015, with 238 people injured and 4 killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 9 days.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in November (11.0% of the year) and are lowest in December (5.9%).
November through March accounts for 41.7% of truck crashes here, compared with 41.0% in North Carolina.
More truck crashes happen at 8–9 am than at any other hour (10.6%).
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 1.3% of truck crashes, compared with 1.7% in North Carolina.
Where crashes happen
Within this area, I-40 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (8). After it: US-401 (6), I-440 (4) and SR-55 (3).
Garbage & waste trucks
16 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 3.3% share (North Carolina: 2.6%).
Route planning tips for Cary fleets
- Review driver schedules for November, the month with the most truck crashes.
- Where you can, review stops along I-40; it has the most fatal large-truck crashes nearby.
- 28.5% of truck crashes happen between 6 and 10 am, above North Carolina; consider earlier or later starts where possible.
- Paste your stops into the free Route Planner to see the risk score, safer alternatives and low bridges.
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 Cary
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 15 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-40 | 8 |
| US-401 | 6 |
| I-440 | 4 |
| SR-55 | 3 |
| US-70 | 3 |
| I-540 | 2 |
| Atlantic Ave | 1 |
| I-87 | 1 |
| Laurel Mountain Rd | 1 |
| Ns-96051 Cornerstone Dr | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Cary) |
|---|---|
| US-1 | 9 |
| Weston Pkwy | 5 |
| Walnut St | 4 |
| US-64 | 3 |
| Sr 3081 Chapel Hill Rd | 3 |
| Kildaire Farm Rd | 3 |
| Horton School | 2 |
| Harrison Ave | 2 |
Cary at a glance
| Population | 182,659 |
| Land area | 61.0 sq mi |
| Density | 2,996 per sq mi |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Cary 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 | 22 | — | 6.3 |
| 2000s | 34 | +58% | 5.6 |
| 2010s | 40 | +17% | 5.0 |
| 2020s | 39 | -2% | 6.0 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 22 a year in the 1990s and 39 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal large-truck crashes: 6.0 a year in 2016–19, 6.0 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby places
Questions fleets ask about Cary
How many truck crashes happen in Cary?
Since 2015, 489 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Cary (238 injured, 4 killed).
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in Cary?
NHTSA data shows I-40 with 8 fatal large-truck crashes within 15 miles of Cary since 2015, the highest of any road.
Which month has the most truck crashes in Cary?
November has the most truck crashes in Cary, 11.0% of the yearly total.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in Cary?
Since 2015, Cary has reported 16 garbage-truck crashes, or 3.3% of its truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in Cary compare with North Carolina?
Cary records 22.9 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 61.3 across North Carolina.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in Cary?
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.