Otero County, NM truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Otero 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
3 of 145 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Otero County compares with New Mexico
Otero County against New Mexico and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Otero County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Otero County | New Mexico | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 18.0 | 45.6 | 49.7 | 61% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 8.0 | 9.5 | 3.4 | 16% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.49 | 0.56 | 0.49 | 13% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.2% | 0.4% | 2.3% | 4.8× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 0.7% | 12.1% | 6.2% | 94% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 21.7% | 22.8% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 6.5% | 11.7% | 13.8% | 44% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 46.4% | 46.8% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 26.8% | 30.2% | 24.8% | 11% below the state |
Compared with New Mexico, Otero County is lower on crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and injuries per crash. It stands out for higher garbage-truck share.
Otero County at a glance: 1 in 46 of truck crashes here involve garbage trucks: 2.2%, vs 0.4% in New Mexico.
Overview
Police reported 145 crashes involving commercial trucks in Otero County since 2015: 73 people were injured and 11 were killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 29 days.
When crashes happen
July has the most truck crashes, 14.5% of the yearly total, while April has the fewest (4.1%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 46.4% of truck crashes, vs 46.8% for New Mexico.
By time of day, 1–2 pm stands out with 11.0% of truck crashes.
0.7% of truck crashes here happened on snow, slush or ice, against 12.1% across New Mexico.
Where crashes happen
The deadliest road for trucks in Otero County is US-54, with 8 fatal large-truck crashes since 2015. It is followed by US-82 (2), Rail Road Frontage Rd (1) and US-70 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 3 crashes, 2.1% of the total, against 0.4% across New Mexico.
Route planning tips for Otero County fleets
- Review driver schedules for July, the month with the most truck crashes.
- Where you can, review stops along US-54; it has the most fatal large-truck crashes nearby.
- Paste your stops into the free Route Planner to see the risk score, safer alternatives and low bridges.
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 Otero County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (in Otero County) |
|---|---|
| US-54 | 8 |
| US-82 | 2 |
| Rail Road Frontage Rd | 1 |
| US-70 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Otero County) |
|---|---|
| US-54 | 15 |
| US-70 | 14 |
| US-82 | 5 |
| Us Hwy 54 Mile Post 86 | 4 |
| Hwy 54/70 | 3 |
| Sr 54 East | 3 |
| Us Highway 54 South | 3 |
| Alamo Relief Route | 2 |
Otero County at a glance
| Population | 69,711 |
| Land area | 6,612.6 sq mi |
| Density | 11 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP average) | $55,336 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Otero 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 | 11 | — | 2.2 |
| 2000s | 8 | -27% | 1.1 |
| 2010s | 14 | +65% | 1.1 |
| 2020s | 10 | -23% | 1.2 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 11 to 10. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 1.2 a year in 2016–19 and 1.2 a year in 2020–24.
Cities, towns & communities in Otero County
ZIP codes in Otero County
Nearby counties
Questions fleets ask about Otero County
How many truck crashes happen in Otero County?
Otero County has had 145 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 73 people and killing 11.
What is the most dangerous road for trucks in Otero County?
NHTSA data shows US-54 with 8 fatal large-truck crashes in Otero County since 2015, the highest of any road.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in Otero County?
July has the most truck crashes in Otero County, 14.5% of the yearly total.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in Otero County?
Garbage trucks were involved in 3 reported crashes in Otero County since 2015 (2.1% of truck crashes).
How does Otero County compare with New Mexico for truck crashes?
Per 100,000 residents, Otero County has 18.0 truck crashes a year; New Mexico has 45.6.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in Otero 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.