University Heights, OH truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in University Heights: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes in University Heights and Cuyahoga County, dangerous roads, seasonality and route safety data for fleets. Patterns use Cuyahoga County numbers.
Where fatal truck crashes happened
Risk scorecard
Key findings
Snapshot
Crashes by month
Garbage trucks vs all trucks
6.4 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 2.3 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Cuyahoga County compares with Ohio
Cuyahoga County against Ohio and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Cuyahoga County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Cuyahoga County | Ohio | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 31.9 | 50.8 | 49.7 | 37% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 2.3 | 3.1 | 3.4 | 26% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.64 | 0.50 | 0.49 | 1.3× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 3.6% | 2.5% | 2.3% | 1.4× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 9.4% | 7.8% | 6.2% | 1.2× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 24.0% | 21.4% | 23.7% | 1.1× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 19.4% | 18.9% | 13.8% | same |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 42.2% | 42.3% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 21.6% | 25.8% | 24.8% | 16% below the state |
Cuyahoga County has lower values than Ohio for crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and after dark. It stands out for higher injuries per crash, garbage-truck share and on snow, slush or ice.
University Heights at a glance: 1.7× change in fatal truck crashes a year within 10 miles of University Heights (3.8 → 6.2).
Overview
Police reported 4,613 crashes involving commercial trucks in Cuyahoga County since 2015: 2,960 people were injured and 108 were killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about 1 truck crash a day.
With 15 truck crashes reported in University Heights since 2015, this page uses Cuyahoga County numbers for its patterns and comparisons.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in January (10.6% of the year) and are lowest in April (6.6%).
November through March accounts for 42.2% of truck crashes here, compared with 42.3% in Ohio.
More truck crashes happen at 8–9 am than at any other hour (7.9%).
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 9.4% of truck crashes, compared with 7.8% in Ohio.
Where crashes happen
The deadliest road for trucks within 10 miles of University Heights is I-90, with 10 fatal large-truck crashes since 2015. After it: I-271 (7), I-77 (4) and I-480 (3).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 164 of the truck crashes here, or 3.6%, compared with 2.5% in Ohio.
The most garbage-truck crashes happen in January (14%).
They recorded 6.4 deaths per 100 crashes, against 2.3 for all trucks.
Route planning tips for University Heights fleets
- Build extra time into January routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Look at alternatives to I-90 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- For residential and commercial waste routes, look again at January schedules: garbage-truck crashes peak then.
- The morning rush (6–10 am) holds 24.0% of truck crashes here, more than Ohio; adjust start times where you can.
- 9.4% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice, above Ohio; plan winter equipment checks before the season.
- Use the free Route Planner to score your route and spot low bridges before drivers head out.
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 Cuyahoga County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-90 | 10 |
| I-271 | 7 |
| I-77 | 4 |
| I-480 | 3 |
| US-322 | 3 |
| SR-176 | 2 |
| CR-13 Woodland Ave | 1 |
| CR-23 Cedar Rd | 1 |
| CR-279 Bringham Rd | 1 |
| CR-342 Hayden Rd. | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Cuyahoga County) |
|---|---|
| Ir 90 | 551 |
| Ir 480 | 399 |
| Ir 80 | 326 |
| Ir 271 | 228 |
| Ir 77 | 185 |
| Ir 71 | 159 |
| Broadway Av | 81 |
| US-422 | 55 |
University Heights at a glance
| Population | 13,265 |
| Land area | 1.8 sq mi |
| Density | 7,265 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP 44118) | $77,555 |
| Median home value (ZIP 44118) | $224,166 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Cuyahoga 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 | 45 | — | 6.7 |
| 2000s | 272 | +504% | 5.6 |
| 2010s | 419 | +54% | 5.4 |
| 2020s | 328 | -22% | 9.2 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 45 a year in the 1990s and 328 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal large-truck crashes: 6.5 a year in 2016–19, 9.2 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby places
Questions fleets ask about University Heights
How many truck accidents are there in University Heights?
Since 2015, 4,613 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Cuyahoga County (2,960 injured, 108 killed).
What is the most dangerous road for trucks in University Heights?
NHTSA data shows I-90 with 10 fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of University Heights since 2015, the highest of any road.
Which month has the most truck crashes in University Heights?
The worst month is January: 10.6% of truck crashes in Cuyahoga County happen then.
Are garbage truck crashes common in University Heights?
Since 2015, Cuyahoga County has reported 164 garbage-truck crashes, or 3.6% of its truck crashes.
What is the truck crash rate in University Heights compared with Ohio?
The yearly rate is 31.9 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in Cuyahoga County, vs 50.8 for Ohio.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in University Heights?
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.