Independence Township, Douglas County, SD truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Independence Township, Douglas County: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes in Independence Township, Douglas County and Douglas County, dangerous roads, seasonality and route safety data for fleets. Patterns use Douglas County numbers.
Where fatal truck crashes happened
Risk scorecard
Key findings
Snapshot
Crashes by month
Garbage trucks vs all trucks
0 of 23 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
No fatal large-truck crashes with a road name recorded here since 2015.
How Douglas County compares with South Dakota
Douglas County against South Dakota and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Douglas County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Douglas County | South Dakota | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 70.2 | 42.0 | 49.7 | 1.7× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 4.5 | 5.2 | 3.4 | 13% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.18 | 0.13 | 0.49 | 1.4× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 0.0% | 1.6% | 2.3% | 100% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 27.3% | 28.6% | 6.2% | same |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 9.1% | 22.2% | 23.7% | 59% below the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 13.6% | 17.5% | 13.8% | 22% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 50.0% | 48.8% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 13.6% | 22.8% | 24.8% | 40% below the state |
Compared with South Dakota, Douglas County is lower on deaths per 100 crashes, garbage-truck share and morning rush (6–10 am). It stands out for higher crashes per 100k residents / yr and injuries per crash.
What stands out in Douglas County: December the month with the most truck crashes: 30.4% of the year's total.
Overview
Police reported 23 crashes involving commercial trucks in Douglas County since 2015: 4 people were injured and 1 were killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 182 days.
Only 0 truck crashes were reported in Independence Township, Douglas County since 2015; patterns below come from Douglas County as a whole.
When crashes happen
December has the most truck crashes, 30.4% of the yearly total, while March has the fewest (0.0%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 50.0% of truck crashes, against 48.8% across South Dakota.
By time of day, 10–11 am stands out with 21.7% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 27.3% of truck crashes, compared with 28.6% in South Dakota.
Where crashes happen
NHTSA lists no located fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of Independence since 2015.
Garbage & waste trucks
Since 2015, no garbage-truck crashes were reported for Douglas County.
Route planning tips for Independence Township, Douglas County fleets
- Plan December schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Douglas County.
- 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 Douglas County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
No fatal crashes involving a large truck with a road name were recorded within 10 miles since 2015.
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Douglas County) |
|---|---|
| Sd Hwy 44 | 14 |
| US-281 | 4 |
| Ave | 2 |
| 281St St. | 1 |
Independence Township, Douglas County at a glance
| Population | 140 |
| Land area | 36.0 sq mi |
| Density | 4 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP 57313) | $89,107 |
| Median home value (ZIP 57313) | $119,882 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Douglas 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 | 2 | — | 0.2 |
| 2000s | 1 | -51% | 0.1 |
| 2010s | 2 | +36% | 0.0 |
| 2020s | 2 | +22% | 0.0 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 2 a year in the 1990s and 2 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting.
Nearby places
Questions fleets ask about Independence Township, Douglas County
How common are truck crashes in Independence Township, Douglas County?
23 truck crashes have been reported in Douglas County since 2015, with 1 deaths and 4 injuries.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in Independence Township, Douglas County?
December has the most truck crashes in Douglas County, 30.4% of the yearly total.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in Independence Township, Douglas County?
Garbage trucks were involved in 0 reported crashes in Douglas County since 2015 (0.0% of truck crashes).
What is the truck crash rate in Independence Township, Douglas County compared with South Dakota?
The yearly rate is 70.2 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in Douglas County, vs 42.0 for South Dakota.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in Independence Township, Douglas 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.