DeKalb County, TN truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in DeKalb 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 115 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How DeKalb County compares with Tennessee
DeKalb County against Tennessee and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where DeKalb County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | DeKalb County | Tennessee | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 45.6 | 60.1 | 49.7 | 24% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 0.9 | 3.9 | 3.4 | 77% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.49 | 0.48 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 3.7% | 1.9% | 2.3% | 1.9× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 0.9% | 2.3% | 6.2% | 61% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 25.7% | 21.8% | 23.7% | 1.2× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 9.2% | 14.9% | 13.8% | 39% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 44.0% | 40.5% | 41.9% | 1.1× the state |
| After dark | 9.2% | 25.9% | 24.8% | 65% below the state |
DeKalb County has lower values than Tennessee for crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and on snow, slush or ice. Where it is higher: garbage-truck share, morning rush (6–10 am) and winter months (nov–mar).
DeKalb County at a glance: 1 in 27 of truck crashes here involve garbage trucks: 3.7%, vs 1.9% in Tennessee.
Overview
Police reported 115 crashes involving commercial trucks in DeKalb County since 2015: 58 people were injured and 1 were killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 37 days.
When crashes happen
The worst month is March with 12.2% of truck crashes; the quietest is February at 2.6%.
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 44.0% of truck crashes, vs 40.5% for Tennessee.
By time of day, 1–2 pm stands out with 13.9% of truck crashes.
0.9% of truck crashes here happened on snow, slush or ice, against 2.3% across Tennessee.
Where crashes happen
Roads with fatal crashes involving a large truck in DeKalb County since 2015: SR-83 (1). No single road stands out.
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 4 of the truck crashes here, or 3.5%, compared with 1.9% in Tennessee.
Route planning tips for DeKalb County fleets
- Build extra time into March routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Morning starts matter: 25.7% of truck crashes fall between 6 and 10 am, higher than Tennessee.
- 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 DeKalb County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (in DeKalb County) |
|---|---|
| SR-83 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (DeKalb County) |
|---|---|
| Nashville Hwy | 14 |
| Allen Ferry Rd | 9 |
| Sparta Hwy | 8 |
| Mcminnville Hwy | 8 |
| S Congress Blvd | 6 |
| Short Mountain Hwy | 6 |
| W Broad St | 6 |
| US-70 | 5 |
DeKalb County at a glance
| Population | 21,747 |
| Land area | 304.4 sq mi |
| Density | 71 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP average) | $53,159 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in DeKalb 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 | 5 | — | 0.5 |
| 2000s | 7 | +43% | 0.3 |
| 2010s | 7 | +1% | 0.2 |
| 2020s | 10 | +43% | 0.2 |
In the 1990s about 5 truck crashes a year were reported; in the 2020s, about 10. Reporting coverage also changed between these periods. NHTSA counts 0.0 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 0.2 a year in 2020–24.
Cities, towns & communities in DeKalb County
ZIP codes in DeKalb County
Nearby counties
Questions fleets ask about DeKalb County
How many truck accidents are there in DeKalb County?
115 truck crashes have been reported in DeKalb County since 2015, with 1 deaths and 58 injuries.
When do most truck crashes happen in DeKalb County?
The worst month is March: 12.2% of truck crashes in DeKalb County happen then.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in DeKalb County?
4 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in DeKalb County since 2015, 3.5% of all truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in DeKalb County compare with Tennessee?
The yearly rate is 45.6 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in DeKalb County, vs 60.1 for Tennessee.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in DeKalb 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.