Bethlehem, NJ truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Bethlehem: 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
3 of 282 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Bethlehem compares with New Jersey
Bethlehem against New Jersey and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Bethlehem stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Bethlehem | New Jersey | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 631.1 | 56.6 | 49.7 | 11.2× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 1.5 | 1.6 | 3.4 | same |
| Injuries per crash | 0.47 | 0.58 | 0.49 | 19% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 1.1% | 3.6% | 2.3% | 68% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 8.8% | 3.3% | 6.2% | 2.6× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 22.1% | 26.0% | 23.7% | 15% below the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 30.9% | 13.7% | 13.8% | 2.3× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 45.4% | 40.9% | 41.9% | 1.1× the state |
| After dark | 37.8% | 19.9% | 24.8% | 1.9× the state |
Bethlehem has lower values than New Jersey for injuries per crash, garbage-truck share and morning rush (6–10 am). It stands out for higher crashes per 100k residents / yr, on snow, slush or ice and in rain, sleet or snow.
What stands out in Bethlehem: 8.8% on snowy, slushy or icy roads, against 3.3% across New Jersey.
Overview
Bethlehem has recorded 282 truck crashes since 2015, with 136 people injured and 4 killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 15 days.
When crashes happen
August has the most truck crashes, 11.3% of the yearly total, while June has the fewest (6.0%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 45.4% of truck crashes, against 40.9% across New Jersey.
More truck crashes happen at 7–8 am than at any other hour (8.2%).
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 8.8% of truck crashes, compared with 3.3% in New Jersey.
Where crashes happen
Within this area, I-78 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (8). Next come SR-31 (6), CR-513 Pittstown Rd (1) and CR-519 Milford Mt Pleasant Rd (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
3 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 1.1% share (New Jersey: 3.6%).
Route planning tips for Bethlehem fleets
- Build extra time into August routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Check whether your routes use I-78, the road with the most fatal truck crashes in this area.
- Icy and snowy roads show up in 8.8% of truck crashes here, more than New Jersey; 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 Bethlehem
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-78 | 8 |
| SR-31 | 6 |
| CR-513 Pittstown Rd | 1 |
| CR-519 Milford Mt Pleasant Rd | 1 |
| CR-579 | 1 |
| SR-57 | 1 |
| US-22 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Bethlehem) |
|---|---|
| I-78 | 218 |
| I-78 Secondary | 38 |
| Nj 173 | 8 |
| SR-579 | 8 |
| Rt 579 (Pittstown-Bloomsbury Road) | 2 |
| Iron Bridge Road | 1 |
| Nj 173 Secondary (Brunswick Pike) | 1 |
| Person Rd | 1 |
Bethlehem at a glance
| Population | 3,774 |
| Land area | 20.7 sq mi |
| Density | 182 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP 08802) | $135,689 |
| Median home value (ZIP 08802) | $461,017 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Bethlehem 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 | 4 | — | 3.4 |
| 2000s | 16 | +260% | 2.2 |
| 2010s | 22 | +41% | 1.4 |
| 2020s | 21 | -6% | 1.8 |
In the 1990s about 4 truck crashes a year were reported; in the 2020s, about 21. Reporting coverage also changed between these periods. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 2.0 a year in 2016–19 and 1.8 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby places
Questions fleets ask about Bethlehem
How many truck accidents are there in Bethlehem?
Since 2015, 282 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Bethlehem (136 injured, 4 killed).
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in Bethlehem?
I-78 had 8 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of Bethlehem since 2015, more than any other road.
Which month has the most truck crashes in Bethlehem?
Truck crashes in Bethlehem peak in August, with 11.3% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in Bethlehem?
Garbage trucks were involved in 3 reported crashes in Bethlehem since 2015 (1.1% of truck crashes).
How does Bethlehem compare with New Jersey for truck crashes?
Bethlehem records 631.1 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 56.6 across New Jersey.
How can I plan a safer truck route in Bethlehem?
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.