Torrance County, NM truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Torrance 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
2 of 612 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Torrance County compares with New Mexico
Torrance County against New Mexico and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Torrance County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Torrance County | New Mexico | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 333.2 | 45.6 | 49.7 | 7.3× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 9.7 | 9.5 | 3.4 | same |
| Injuries per crash | 0.59 | 0.56 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 0.3% | 0.4% | 2.3% | 24% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 25.3% | 12.1% | 6.2% | 2.1× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 21.5% | 22.8% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 18.6% | 11.7% | 13.8% | 1.6× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 48.6% | 46.8% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 28.3% | 30.2% | 24.8% | same |
Torrance County sits below New Mexico on garbage-truck share. It stands out for higher crashes per 100k residents / yr, on snow, slush or ice and in rain, sleet or snow.
Torrance County at a glance: 2.6× change in fatal truck crashes a year in Torrance County (2.0 → 5.2).
Overview
Police reported 612 crashes involving commercial trucks in Torrance County since 2015: 366 people were injured and 59 were killed.
That averages about one truck crash every 7 days in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
The worst month is February with 15.0% of truck crashes; the quietest is September at 4.9%.
The five winter months (November to March) hold 48.6% of truck crashes, against 46.8% across New Mexico.
By time of day, 10–11 am stands out with 9.5% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 25.3% of truck crashes, compared with 12.1% in New Mexico.
Where crashes happen
Within this area, I-40 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (27). It is followed by SR-41 (3), US-285 (2) and US-60 (2).
Garbage & waste trucks
2 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 0.3% share (New Mexico: 0.4%).
Route planning tips for Torrance County fleets
- Plan February schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Torrance County.
- Look at alternatives to I-40 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- 25.3% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice, above New Mexico; plan winter equipment checks before the season.
- Paste your stops into the free Route Planner to see the risk score, safer alternatives and low bridges.
About the data
Sources: the FMCSA crash file for all reported truck crashes and NHTSA FARS for fatal crashes with a large truck. Every statement here comes straight from those numbers.
Truck crashes by year: all trucks vs garbage trucks
Seasonality: when trucks crash in Torrance County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (in Torrance County) |
|---|---|
| I-40 | 27 |
| SR-41 | 3 |
| US-285 | 2 |
| US-60 | 2 |
| SR-333 | 1 |
| SR-60 | 1 |
| US-54 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Torrance County) |
|---|---|
| I-40 | 163 |
| Interstate 40 Mile Marker 234 | 11 |
| I40 Eb On Ramp | 10 |
| I40 Wb Off Ramp | 10 |
| Interstate 40 Mile Marker 236 | 9 |
| US-285 | 6 |
| Interstate 40 Mp 195 | 6 |
| Interstate 40 Mile Marker 226 | 6 |
Torrance County at a glance
| Population | 15,986 |
| Land area | 3,345.2 sq mi |
| Density | 5 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP average) | $48,838 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Torrance 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 | 8 | — | 1.7 |
| 2000s | 13 | +61% | 2.1 |
| 2010s | 30 | +137% | 1.9 |
| 2020s | 67 | +125% | 5.2 |
In the 1990s about 8 truck crashes a year were reported; in the 2020s, about 67. Reporting coverage also changed between these periods. Fatal large-truck crashes: 2.0 a year in 2016–19, 5.2 a year in 2020–24.
Cities, towns & communities in Torrance County
ZIP codes in Torrance County
Nearby counties
Questions fleets ask about Torrance County
How common are truck crashes in Torrance County?
612 truck crashes have been reported in Torrance County since 2015, with 59 deaths and 366 injuries.
What is the most dangerous road for trucks in Torrance County?
Since 2015, I-40 has had the most fatal large-truck crashes in Torrance County: 27.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in Torrance County?
February has the most truck crashes in Torrance County, 15.0% of the yearly total.
Are garbage truck crashes common in Torrance County?
2 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Torrance County since 2015, 0.3% of all truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in Torrance County compare with New Mexico?
Per 100,000 residents, Torrance County has 333.2 truck crashes a year; New Mexico has 45.6.
How can I plan a safer truck route in Torrance County?
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.