Cheatham County, TN truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Cheatham 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 415 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Cheatham County compares with Tennessee
Cheatham County against Tennessee and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Cheatham County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Cheatham County | Tennessee | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 81.7 | 60.1 | 49.7 | 1.4× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 4.4 | 3.9 | 3.4 | 1.1× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.50 | 0.48 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 1.0% | 1.9% | 2.3% | 46% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 2.1% | 2.3% | 6.2% | 10% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 25.1% | 21.8% | 23.7% | 1.1× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 17.8% | 14.9% | 13.8% | 1.2× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 38.4% | 40.5% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 25.9% | 25.9% | 24.8% | same |
Cheatham County has lower values than Tennessee for garbage-truck share and on snow, slush or ice. It stands out for higher crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and morning rush (6–10 am).
What stands out in Cheatham County: I-40 4 fatal truck crashes since 2015, more than any other road in Cheatham County.
Overview
Cheatham County has recorded 415 truck crashes since 2015, with 198 people injured and 19 killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 10 days.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in January (11.6% of the year) and are lowest in November (5.5%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 38.4% of truck crashes, against 40.5% across Tennessee.
By time of day, 12–1 pm stands out with 8.0% of truck crashes.
Road surface: 2.1% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (Tennessee: 2.3%).
Where crashes happen
Within this area, I-40 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (4). It is followed by SR-12 (2), CR-OLD Clarksville Pk (1) and SR-249 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 4 of the truck crashes here, or 1.0%, compared with 1.9% in Tennessee.
Route planning tips for Cheatham County fleets
- Plan January schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Cheatham County.
- Where you can, review stops along I-40; it has the most fatal large-truck crashes nearby.
- The morning rush (6–10 am) holds 25.1% of truck crashes here, more than Tennessee; adjust start times where you can.
- 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 Cheatham County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (in Cheatham County) |
|---|---|
| I-40 | 4 |
| SR-12 | 2 |
| CR-OLD Clarksville Pk | 1 |
| SR-249 | 1 |
| SR-49 | 1 |
| US-70 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Cheatham County) |
|---|---|
| I-40 | 186 |
| I-24 | 72 |
| SR-70 | 9 |
| SR-41A | 9 |
| US-70 | 8 |
| SR-12S | 7 |
| Tn-12 | 7 |
| US-41A | 5 |
Cheatham County at a glance
| Population | 42,604 |
| Land area | 302.5 sq mi |
| Density | 141 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP average) | $86,511 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Cheatham 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 | 8 | — | 1.1 |
| 2000s | 14 | +80% | 0.8 |
| 2010s | 26 | +79% | 0.5 |
| 2020s | 38 | +45% | 1.2 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 8 a year in the 1990s and 38 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. NHTSA counts 0.5 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 1.2 a year in 2020–24.
Cities, towns & communities in Cheatham County
ZIP codes in Cheatham County
Nearby counties
Questions fleets ask about Cheatham County
How common are truck crashes in Cheatham County?
Since 2015, 415 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Cheatham County (198 injured, 19 killed).
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in Cheatham County?
I-40 had 4 fatal crashes involving a large truck in Cheatham County since 2015, more than any other road.
When do most truck crashes happen in Cheatham County?
Truck crashes in Cheatham County peak in January, with 11.6% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in Cheatham County?
Since 2015, Cheatham County has reported 4 garbage-truck crashes, or 1.0% of its truck crashes.
What is the truck crash rate in Cheatham County compared with Tennessee?
Cheatham County records 81.7 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 60.1 across Tennessee.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in Cheatham 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.