Heidelberg Township, Lehigh County, PA truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Heidelberg Township, Lehigh County: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes in Heidelberg Township, Lehigh County and Lehigh County, dangerous roads, seasonality and route safety data for fleets. Patterns use Lehigh County numbers.
Where fatal truck crashes happened
Risk scorecard
Key findings
Snapshot
Crashes by month
Garbage trucks vs all trucks
5.5 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 2.2 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Lehigh County compares with Pennsylvania
Lehigh County against Pennsylvania and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Lehigh County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Lehigh County | Pennsylvania | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 83.0 | 57.2 | 49.7 | 1.5× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 2.2 | 2.6 | 3.4 | 15% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.44 | 0.47 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 3.1% | 3.6% | 2.3% | 14% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 4.5% | 9.1% | 6.2% | 50% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 23.1% | 24.5% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 20.8% | 19.0% | 13.8% | 1.1× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 39.5% | 42.7% | 41.9% | 7% below the state |
| After dark | 26.1% | 24.2% | 24.8% | 1.1× the state |
Compared with Pennsylvania, Lehigh County is lower on deaths per 100 crashes, garbage-truck share and on snow, slush or ice. It runs above Pennsylvania on crashes per 100k residents / yr, in rain, sleet or snow and after dark.
Heidelberg Township, Lehigh County at a glance: I-78 deadliest road: 8 fatal truck crashes within 10 miles of Heidelberg since 2015.
Overview
Lehigh County has recorded 3,737 truck crashes since 2015, with 1,632 people injured and 85 killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly 1 truck crash every day.
With 25 truck crashes reported in Heidelberg Township, Lehigh County since 2015, this page uses Lehigh County numbers for its patterns and comparisons.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in October (9.2% of the year) and are lowest in November (7.0%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 39.5% of truck crashes, vs 42.7% for Pennsylvania.
By time of day, 2–3 pm stands out with 7.1% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 4.5% of truck crashes, compared with 9.1% in Pennsylvania.
Where crashes happen
Within this area, I-78 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (8). After it: SR-309 (2), I-476 (1) and SR-0248 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
114 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 3.1% share (Pennsylvania: 3.6%).
Their busiest month is September, with 11% of garbage-truck crashes.
Per 100 crashes, garbage trucks recorded 5.5 deaths compared with 2.2 for all trucks.
Route planning tips for Heidelberg Township, Lehigh County fleets
- Review driver schedules for October, the month with the most truck crashes.
- Check whether your routes use I-78, the road with the most fatal truck crashes in this area.
- Garbage-truck crashes here peak in September; review collection routes for that month.
- 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 Lehigh County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-78 | 8 |
| SR-309 | 2 |
| I-476 | 1 |
| SR-0248 | 1 |
| SR-1024 | 1 |
| SR-1045 | 1 |
| SR-145 | 1 |
| SR-3019 | 1 |
| SR-443 | 1 |
| SR-863 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Lehigh County) |
|---|---|
| I-0078 | 880 |
| I-7476 | 412 |
| SR-0022 | 400 |
| SR-0309 | 234 |
| SR-0222 | 190 |
| SR-0100 | 152 |
| SR-0145 | 120 |
| SR-1002 | 79 |
Heidelberg Township, Lehigh County at a glance
| Population | 3,402 |
| Land area | 24.6 sq mi |
| Density | 138 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP 18053) | $83,370 |
| Median home value (ZIP 18053) | $312,000 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Lehigh 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 | 170 | — | 4.9 |
| 2000s | 236 | +39% | 4.6 |
| 2010s | 256 | +8% | 4.9 |
| 2020s | 323 | +26% | 4.2 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 170 a year in the 1990s and 323 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal large-truck crashes: 4.0 a year in 2016–19, 4.2 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby places
Questions fleets ask about Heidelberg Township, Lehigh County
How common are truck crashes in Heidelberg Township, Lehigh County?
Since 2015, 3,737 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Lehigh County (1,632 injured, 85 killed).
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in Heidelberg Township, Lehigh County?
Since 2015, I-78 has had the most fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of Heidelberg: 8.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in Heidelberg Township, Lehigh County?
The worst month is October: 9.2% of truck crashes in Lehigh County happen then.
Are garbage truck crashes common in Heidelberg Township, Lehigh County?
Since 2015, Lehigh County has reported 114 garbage-truck crashes, or 3.1% of its truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in Heidelberg Township, Lehigh County compare with Pennsylvania?
Lehigh County records 83.0 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 57.2 across Pennsylvania.
How can I plan a safer truck route in Heidelberg Township, Lehigh County?
The free Route Planner takes your stops and returns a route risk score, safer alternatives and low-bridge warnings.
2026 is a partial year. Updated October 2026.