Hughes County, SD truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Hughes 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
2 of 39 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
No fatal large-truck crashes with a road name recorded here since 2015.
How Hughes County compares with South Dakota
Hughes County against South Dakota and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Hughes County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Hughes County | South Dakota | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 20.2 | 42.0 | 49.7 | 52% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 0.0 | 5.2 | 3.4 | 100% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.21 | 0.13 | 0.49 | 1.6× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 5.1% | 1.6% | 2.3% | 3.2× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 23.1% | 28.6% | 6.2% | 19% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 20.5% | 22.2% | 23.7% | 8% below the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 15.4% | 17.5% | 13.8% | 12% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 46.2% | 48.8% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 12.8% | 22.8% | 24.8% | 44% below the state |
Hughes County has lower values than South Dakota for crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and on snow, slush or ice. Where it is higher: injuries per crash and garbage-truck share.
Hughes County at a glance: 1 in 19 of truck crashes here involve garbage trucks: 5.1%, vs 1.6% in South Dakota.
Overview
Since 2015, 39 crashes involving commercial trucks have been reported in Hughes County. They injured 8 people and killed 0.
That averages about one truck crash every 103 days in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in March (17.9% of the year) and are lowest in February (2.6%).
November through March accounts for 46.2% of truck crashes here, compared with 48.8% in South Dakota.
By time of day, 11 am–12 pm stands out with 15.4% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 23.1% of truck crashes, compared with 28.6% in South Dakota.
Where crashes happen
Since 2015, no fatal large-truck crashes with a location were recorded in Hughes County.
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 2 crashes, 5.1% of the total, against 1.6% across South Dakota.
Route planning tips for Hughes County fleets
- Plan March schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Hughes 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 Hughes County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
No fatal crashes involving a large truck with a road name were recorded in Hughes County since 2015.
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Hughes County) |
|---|---|
| US-14 | 19 |
| Ave | 4 |
| Sd Hwy 34 | 3 |
| US-83 | 3 |
| Us Hwy 14 B | 2 |
| Capitol Ave | 1 |
| Coteau St | 1 |
| SR-14 | 1 |
Hughes County at a glance
| Population | 17,526 |
| Land area | 741.5 sq mi |
| Density | 24 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP average) | $81,077 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Hughes 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 | 4 | — | 0.2 |
| 2000s | 4 | -13% | 0.0 |
| 2010s | 4 | +0% | 0.0 |
| 2020s | 4 | +15% | 0.0 |
In the 1990s about 4 truck crashes a year were reported; in the 2020s, about 4. Reporting coverage also changed between these periods.
Cities, towns & communities in Hughes County
ZIP codes in Hughes County
Nearby counties
Questions fleets ask about Hughes County
How many truck accidents are there in Hughes County?
39 truck crashes have been reported in Hughes County since 2015, with 0 deaths and 8 injuries.
Which month has the most truck crashes in Hughes County?
The worst month is March: 17.9% of truck crashes in Hughes County happen then.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in Hughes County?
Since 2015, Hughes County has reported 2 garbage-truck crashes, or 5.1% of its truck crashes.
How does Hughes County compare with South Dakota for truck crashes?
Hughes County records 20.2 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 42.0 across South Dakota.
How can I plan a safer truck route in Hughes 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.