Bowdle, SD truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Bowdle: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes in Bowdle and Edmunds County, dangerous roads, seasonality and route safety data for fleets. Patterns use Edmunds County numbers.
Where fatal truck crashes happened
Risk scorecard
Key findings
Snapshot
Crashes by month
Garbage trucks vs all trucks
0 of 32 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Edmunds County compares with South Dakota
Edmunds County against South Dakota and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Edmunds County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Edmunds County | South Dakota | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 70.0 | 42.0 | 49.7 | 1.7× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 12.9 | 5.2 | 3.4 | 2.5× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.32 | 0.13 | 0.49 | 2.5× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 0.0% | 1.6% | 2.3% | 100% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 25.8% | 28.6% | 6.2% | 10% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 32.3% | 22.2% | 23.7% | 1.5× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 9.7% | 17.5% | 13.8% | 45% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 45.2% | 48.8% | 41.9% | 7% below the state |
| After dark | 16.1% | 22.8% | 24.8% | 29% below the state |
Compared with South Dakota, Edmunds County is lower on garbage-truck share, on snow, slush or ice and in rain, sleet or snow. Where it is higher: crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and injuries per crash.
What stands out in Edmunds County: 12.9 people killed per 100 truck crashes (South Dakota: 5.2).
Overview
Edmunds County has recorded 32 truck crashes since 2015, with 10 people injured and 4 killed.
That averages about one truck crash every 130 days in fully reported years.
With 0 truck crashes reported in Bowdle since 2015, this page uses Edmunds County numbers for its patterns and comparisons.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in November (15.6% of the year) and are lowest in January (3.1%).
November through March accounts for 45.2% of truck crashes here, compared with 48.8% in South Dakota.
More truck crashes happen at 6–7 am than at any other hour (12.5%).
Road surface: 25.8% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (South Dakota: 28.6%).
Where crashes happen
Fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of Bowdle since 2015 were spread across roads: US-12 (2) and SR-47 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
No crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Edmunds County since 2015.
Route planning tips for Bowdle fleets
- Plan November schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Edmunds County.
- The morning rush (6–10 am) holds 32.3% of truck crashes here, more than South Dakota; adjust start times where you can.
- Paste your stops into the free Route Planner to see the risk score, safer alternatives and low bridges.
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 Edmunds County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| US-12 | 2 |
| SR-47 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Edmunds County) |
|---|---|
| US-12 | 22 |
| Ave | 2 |
| Sd Hwy 45 | 2 |
| 327A Ave | 1 |
| S Menlo Ave | 1 |
| Sd Hwy 253 | 1 |
Bowdle at a glance
| Population | 472 |
| Land area | 0.6 sq mi |
| Density | 738 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP 57428) | $64,375 |
| Median home value (ZIP 57428) | $148,631 |
Historical data: truck crashes in Edmunds 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 | — | 0.3 |
| 2000s | 4 | +119% | 0.3 |
| 2010s | 3 | -9% | 0.3 |
| 2020s | 3 | -1% | 0.4 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 2 a year in the 1990s and 3 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 0.2 a year in 2016–19 and 0.4 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby places
Questions fleets ask about Bowdle
How common are truck crashes in Bowdle?
Edmunds County has had 32 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 10 people and killing 4.
When do most truck crashes happen in Bowdle?
Truck crashes in Edmunds County peak in November, with 15.6% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in Bowdle?
0 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Edmunds County since 2015, 0.0% of all truck crashes.
How does Bowdle compare with South Dakota for truck crashes?
Per 100,000 residents, Edmunds County has 70.0 truck crashes a year; South Dakota has 42.0.
How can I plan a safer truck route in Bowdle?
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.