Klamath County, OR truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Klamath 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
7 of 975 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Klamath County compares with Oregon
Klamath County against Oregon and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Klamath County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Klamath County | Oregon | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 117.6 | 41.0 | 49.7 | 2.9× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 5.2 | 3.9 | 3.4 | 1.3× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.35 | 0.35 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 0.7% | 2.0% | 2.3% | 67% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 55.1% | 13.3% | 6.2% | 4.2× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 26.6% | 24.2% | 23.7% | 1.1× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 26.3% | 18.8% | 13.8% | 1.4× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 67.8% | 45.1% | 41.9% | 1.5× the state |
| After dark | 35.4% | 25.3% | 24.8% | 1.4× the state |
Klamath County has lower values than Oregon for garbage-truck share. Where it is higher: crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and on snow, slush or ice.
What stands out in Klamath County: 55.1% on snowy, slushy or icy roads, against 13.3% across Oregon.
Overview
Klamath County has recorded 975 truck crashes since 2015, with 345 people injured and 55 killed.
That averages about one truck crash every 4 days in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in January (17.2% of the year) and are lowest in August (3.4%).
November through March accounts for 67.8% of truck crashes here, compared with 45.1% in Oregon.
By time of day, 9–10 am stands out with 8.1% of truck crashes.
Road surface: 55.1% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (Oregon: 13.3%).
Where crashes happen
US-97 leads in Klamath County with 20 fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015. Next come SR-140 (2), SR-39 (2) and SR-58 (2).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 7 crashes, 0.7% of the total, against 2.0% across Oregon.
Route planning tips for Klamath County fleets
- Review driver schedules for January, the month with the most truck crashes.
- Where you can, review stops along US-97; it has the most fatal large-truck crashes nearby.
- 26.6% of truck crashes happen between 6 and 10 am, above Oregon; consider earlier or later starts where possible.
- 55.1% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice, above Oregon; plan winter equipment checks before the season.
- Check your own stops for crash hotspots and low bridges with the free Route Planner.
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 Klamath County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (in Klamath County) |
|---|---|
| US-97 | 20 |
| SR-140 | 2 |
| SR-39 | 2 |
| SR-58 | 2 |
| Pacific Terr | 1 |
| S 6th St | 1 |
| SR-140W | 1 |
| Sprague River Rd | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Klamath County) |
|---|---|
| Hwy 97 & Hwy 138 | 11 |
| Hwy 97 & Silver Lake Rd | 7 |
| Hwy 97 .62 S Crystal Springs Rd | 7 |
| Hwy 97 .12 N Merritt Springs Rd | 6 |
| Hwy 97 .13 S Merritt Springs Rd | 6 |
| Hwy 97 .14 S Hackett Dr | 6 |
| Hwy 97 1.06 N Walker Springs Rd | 6 |
| Hwy 97 1.46 N Michael Rd | 6 |
Klamath County at a glance
| Population | 70,438 |
| Land area | 5,949.9 sq mi |
| Density | 12 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP average) | $60,205 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Klamath 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 | 72 | — | 5.2 |
| 2000s | 66 | -8% | 4.3 |
| 2010s | 66 | +0% | 1.6 |
| 2020s | 94 | +41% | 4.0 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 72 a year in the 1990s and 94 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal large-truck crashes: 2.2 a year in 2016–19, 4.0 a year in 2020–24.
Cities, towns & communities in Klamath County
ZIP codes in Klamath County
Nearby counties
Questions fleets ask about Klamath County
How many truck accidents are there in Klamath County?
975 truck crashes have been reported in Klamath County since 2015, with 55 deaths and 345 injuries.
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in Klamath County?
NHTSA data shows US-97 with 20 fatal large-truck crashes in Klamath County since 2015, the highest of any road.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in Klamath County?
January has the most truck crashes in Klamath County, 17.2% of the yearly total.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in Klamath County?
7 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Klamath County since 2015, 0.7% of all truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in Klamath County compare with Oregon?
Per 100,000 residents, Klamath County has 117.6 truck crashes a year; Oregon has 41.0.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in Klamath 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.