Sandoval County, NM truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Sandoval 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
6 of 242 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Sandoval County compares with New Mexico
Sandoval County against New Mexico and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Sandoval County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Sandoval County | New Mexico | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 12.9 | 45.6 | 49.7 | 72% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 7.2 | 9.5 | 3.4 | 24% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.54 | 0.56 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.7% | 0.4% | 2.3% | 6.0× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 9.4% | 12.1% | 6.2% | 22% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 25.1% | 22.8% | 23.7% | 1.1× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 13.0% | 11.7% | 13.8% | 1.1× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 43.0% | 46.8% | 41.9% | 8% below the state |
| After dark | 32.3% | 30.2% | 24.8% | same |
Compared with New Mexico, Sandoval County is lower on crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and on snow, slush or ice. It runs above New Mexico on garbage-truck share, morning rush (6–10 am) and in rain, sleet or snow.
What stands out in Sandoval County: 1 in 37 of truck crashes here involve garbage trucks: 2.7%, vs 0.4% in New Mexico.
Overview
Sandoval County has recorded 242 truck crashes since 2015, with 126 people injured and 17 killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 18 days.
When crashes happen
The worst month is September with 13.2% of truck crashes; the quietest is April at 4.5%.
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 43.0% of truck crashes, vs 46.8% for New Mexico.
By time of day, 7–8 am stands out with 7.4% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 9.4% of truck crashes, compared with 12.1% in New Mexico.
Where crashes happen
US-550 leads in Sandoval County with 5 fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015. Next come SR-528 (3) and I-25 (2).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 6 of the truck crashes here, or 2.5%, compared with 0.4% in New Mexico.
Route planning tips for Sandoval County fleets
- Review driver schedules for September, the month with the most truck crashes.
- Where you can, review stops along US-550; it has the most fatal large-truck crashes nearby.
- The morning rush (6–10 am) holds 25.1% of truck crashes here, more than New Mexico; adjust start times where you can.
- 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 Sandoval County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (in Sandoval County) |
|---|---|
| US-550 | 5 |
| SR-528 | 3 |
| I-25 | 2 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Sandoval County) |
|---|---|
| US-550 | 57 |
| I-25 | 15 |
| SR-550 | 5 |
| Nm 528 | 4 |
| State Road 528 | 3 |
| Us Highway 550 & Ts Jicarilla Rd | 3 |
| W Us 550 | 3 |
| Abrazo Rd | 2 |
Sandoval County at a glance
| Population | 157,757 |
| Land area | 3,710.2 sq mi |
| Density | 43 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP average) | $90,961 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Sandoval 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 | 4 | — | 1.8 |
| 2000s | 10 | +163% | 1.8 |
| 2010s | 18 | +79% | 1.2 |
| 2020s | 19 | +5% | 1.0 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 4 a year in the 1990s and 19 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal large-truck crashes: 1.2 a year in 2016–19, 1.0 a year in 2020–24.
Cities, towns & communities in Sandoval County
ZIP codes in Sandoval County
Nearby counties
Questions fleets ask about Sandoval County
How many truck crashes happen in Sandoval County?
Sandoval County has had 242 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 126 people and killing 17.
What is the most dangerous road for trucks in Sandoval County?
Since 2015, US-550 has had the most fatal large-truck crashes in Sandoval County: 5.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in Sandoval County?
Truck crashes in Sandoval County peak in September, with 13.2% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in Sandoval County?
Garbage trucks were involved in 6 reported crashes in Sandoval County since 2015 (2.5% of truck crashes).
How does Sandoval County compare with New Mexico for truck crashes?
Per 100,000 residents, Sandoval County has 12.9 truck crashes a year; New Mexico has 45.6.
How can I plan a safer truck route in Sandoval 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.