Saluda County, SC truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Saluda 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
4 of 205 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Saluda County compares with South Carolina
Saluda County against South Carolina and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Saluda County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Saluda County | South Carolina | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 89.7 | 61.6 | 49.7 | 1.5× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 4.7 | 3.9 | 3.4 | 1.2× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.61 | 0.64 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 1.6% | 2.1% | 2.3% | 27% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 0.5% | 0.4% | 6.2% | 1.2× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 25.0% | 24.0% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 12.5% | 11.4% | 13.8% | 1.1× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 42.2% | 40.5% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 28.1% | 21.5% | 24.8% | 1.3× the state |
Saluda County sits below South Carolina on garbage-truck share. It runs above South Carolina on crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and on snow, slush or ice.
The headline for Saluda County: March the month with the most truck crashes: 11.7% of the year's total.
Overview
Since 2015, 205 crashes involving commercial trucks have been reported in Saluda County. They injured 142 people and killed 9.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 21 days.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in March (11.7% of the year) and are lowest in June (5.4%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 42.2% of truck crashes, vs 40.5% for South Carolina.
More truck crashes happen at 10–11 am than at any other hour (8.3%).
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 0.5% of truck crashes, compared with 0.4% in South Carolina.
Where crashes happen
Roads with fatal crashes involving a large truck in Saluda County since 2015: SR-121 (1), SR-178 (1), SR-34 (1), SR-39 (1) and SR-98 (1). No single road stands out.
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 4 crashes, 2.0% of the total, against 2.1% across South Carolina.
Route planning tips for Saluda County fleets
- Build extra time into March routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Icy and snowy roads show up in 0.5% of truck crashes here, more than South Carolina; 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.
Truck crashes by year: all trucks vs garbage trucks
Seasonality: when trucks crash in Saluda County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (in Saluda County) |
|---|---|
| SR-121 | 1 |
| SR-178 | 1 |
| SR-34 | 1 |
| SR-39 | 1 |
| SR-98 | 1 |
| Ssr-189 Belulah Rd | 1 |
| US-178 | 1 |
| US-378 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Saluda County) |
|---|---|
| Batesburg Hwy | 12 |
| Columbia Hwy | 9 |
| Johnston Hwy | 9 |
| Ridge Spring Hwy | 9 |
| Chappells Hwy | 8 |
| Spann Rd | 6 |
| Duncan Rd | 5 |
| Denny Hwy | 4 |
Saluda County at a glance
| Population | 19,452 |
| Land area | 453.2 sq mi |
| Density | 43 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP average) | $47,303 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Saluda 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 | 18 | — | 0.6 |
| 2000s | 15 | -20% | 0.8 |
| 2010s | 14 | -7% | 0.5 |
| 2020s | 19 | +41% | 1.0 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 18 a year in the 1990s and 19 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 0.8 a year in 2016–19 and 1.0 a year in 2020–24.
Cities, towns & communities in Saluda County
ZIP codes in Saluda County
Nearby counties
Questions fleets ask about Saluda County
How many truck crashes happen in Saluda County?
205 truck crashes have been reported in Saluda County since 2015, with 9 deaths and 142 injuries.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in Saluda County?
March has the most truck crashes in Saluda County, 11.7% of the yearly total.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in Saluda County?
4 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Saluda County since 2015, 2.0% of all truck crashes.
How does Saluda County compare with South Carolina for truck crashes?
Per 100,000 residents, Saluda County has 89.7 truck crashes a year; South Carolina has 61.6.
How can I plan a safer truck route in Saluda County?
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.