Putnam, NY truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Putnam: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes in Putnam and Washington County, dangerous roads, seasonality and route safety data for fleets. Patterns use Washington County numbers.
Where fatal truck crashes happened
Risk scorecard
Key findings
Snapshot
Crashes by month
Garbage trucks vs all trucks
6 of 212 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Washington County compares with New York State
Washington County against New York State and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Washington County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Washington County | New York State | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 37.9 | 28.0 | 49.7 | 1.4× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 1.5 | 2.0 | 3.4 | 25% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.68 | 0.73 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.9% | 3.6% | 2.3% | 17% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 12.8% | 9.4% | 6.2% | 1.4× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 25.0% | 25.1% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 21.1% | 17.9% | 13.8% | 1.2× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 43.6% | 41.8% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 15.2% | 22.1% | 24.8% | 31% below the state |
Washington County has lower values than New York for deaths per 100 crashes, garbage-truck share and after dark. Where it is higher: crashes per 100k residents / yr, on snow, slush or ice and in rain, sleet or snow.
Washington County at a glance: February worst month: 12.7% of truck crashes, vs 8.3% in an average month.
Overview
Washington County has recorded 212 truck crashes since 2015, with 146 people injured and 3 killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 16 days.
With 0 truck crashes reported in Putnam since 2015, this page uses Washington County numbers for its patterns and comparisons.
97% of truck crash reports in Washington County since 2015 leave the city field blank; place counts include only reports that name the place.
When crashes happen
February has the most truck crashes, 12.7% of the yearly total, while August has the fewest (5.2%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 43.6% of truck crashes, vs 41.8% for New York.
The busiest hour is 2–3 pm, with 11.3% of truck crashes.
12.8% of truck crashes here happened on snow, slush or ice, against 9.4% across New York.
Where crashes happen
Fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of Putnam since 2015 were spread across roads: SR-22A (4).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 6 crashes, 2.8% of the total, against 3.6% across New York.
Route planning tips for Putnam fleets
- Review driver schedules for February, the month with the most truck crashes.
- Icy and snowy roads show up in 12.8% of truck crashes here, more than New York; schedule winter checks early.
- Use the free Route Planner to score your route and spot low bridges before drivers head out.
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.
Reporting to FMCSA was incomplete in 2023 and 2024; rates and comparisons skip those years.
Truck crashes by year: all trucks vs garbage trucks
Seasonality: when trucks crash in Washington County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| SR-22A | 4 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Washington County) |
|---|---|
| Broadway | 1 |
| Hicks Rd | 1 |
| SR-22A | 1 |
Putnam at a glance
| Population | 562 |
| Land area | 32.8 sq mi |
| Density | 17 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP 12861) | $92,031 |
| Median home value (ZIP 12861) | $226,762 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Washington 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 | 19 | — | 1.2 |
| 2000s | 22 | +14% | 0.9 |
| 2010s | 27 | +26% | 0.9 |
| 2020s | 18 | -33% | 0.2 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 19 to 18. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. NHTSA counts 0.0 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 0.2 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby places
Questions fleets ask about Putnam
How common are truck crashes in Putnam?
Since 2015, 212 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Washington County (146 injured, 3 killed).
When do most truck crashes happen in Putnam?
Truck crashes in Washington County peak in February, with 12.7% of the year's crashes.
Are garbage truck crashes common in Putnam?
Garbage trucks were involved in 6 reported crashes in Washington County since 2015 (2.8% of truck crashes).
How does Putnam compare with New York for truck crashes?
Per 100,000 residents, Washington County has 37.9 truck crashes a year; New York has 28.0.
How can I plan a safer truck route in Putnam?
Use the free Route Planner: enter your stops to get a risk score, safer alternatives and the low bridges on your route.
Crash reporting to FMCSA was incomplete in 2023 and 2024; those years are greyed out and left out of rates. 2026 is a partial year. Updated October 2026.