Smith County, TN truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Smith 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 421 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Smith County compares with Tennessee
Smith County against Tennessee and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Smith County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Smith County | Tennessee | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 175.8 | 60.1 | 49.7 | 2.9× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 6.0 | 3.9 | 3.4 | 1.5× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.45 | 0.48 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 1.0% | 1.9% | 2.3% | 48% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 4.5% | 2.3% | 6.2% | 1.9× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 19.1% | 21.8% | 23.7% | 12% below the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 18.7% | 14.9% | 13.8% | 1.2× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 43.3% | 40.5% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 36.6% | 25.9% | 24.8% | 1.4× the state |
Compared with Tennessee, Smith County is lower on garbage-truck share and morning rush (6–10 am). Where it is higher: crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and on snow, slush or ice.
The headline for Smith County: 4.5% on snowy, slushy or icy roads, against 2.3% across Tennessee.
Overview
Smith County has recorded 421 truck crashes since 2015, with 193 people injured and 24 killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 10 days.
When crashes happen
The worst month is February with 10.5% of truck crashes; the quietest is November at 5.9%.
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 43.3% of truck crashes, vs 40.5% for Tennessee.
More truck crashes happen at 7–8 am than at any other hour (6.9%).
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 4.5% of truck crashes, compared with 2.3% in Tennessee.
Where crashes happen
Within this area, I-40 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (10).
Garbage & waste trucks
4 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 1.0% share (Tennessee: 1.9%).
Route planning tips for Smith County fleets
- Build extra time into February routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Check whether your routes use I-40, the road with the most fatal truck crashes in this area.
- 4.5% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice, above Tennessee; plan winter equipment checks before the season.
- Check your own stops for crash hotspots and low bridges with the free Route Planner.
About the data
Crash counts come from the FMCSA crash file (police-reported crashes involving trucks over 10,000 lb); fatal-crash locations come from NHTSA FARS. Text on this page states only what these numbers show.
Truck crashes by year: all trucks vs garbage trucks
Seasonality: when trucks crash in Smith County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (in Smith County) |
|---|---|
| I-40 | 10 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Smith County) |
|---|---|
| I-40 | 331 |
| Gordonsville Hwy | 12 |
| Exit Ramp 254 | 7 |
| Dixon Springs Hwy | 6 |
| Cookeville Hwy | 5 |
| Grant Hwy | 4 |
| Lebanon Hwy | 4 |
| Alexandria Hwy | 3 |
Smith County at a glance
| Population | 20,783 |
| Land area | 314.3 sq mi |
| Density | 66 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP average) | $68,697 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Smith 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 | 11 | — | 0.6 |
| 2000s | 16 | +53% | 0.6 |
| 2010s | 26 | +60% | 1.2 |
| 2020s | 42 | +61% | 1.0 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 11 a year in the 1990s and 42 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 0.8 a year in 2016–19 and 1.0 a year in 2020–24.
Cities, towns & communities in Smith County
ZIP codes in Smith County
Nearby counties
Questions fleets ask about Smith County
How many truck accidents are there in Smith County?
Smith County has had 421 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 193 people and killing 24.
What is the most dangerous road for trucks in Smith County?
NHTSA data shows I-40 with 10 fatal large-truck crashes in Smith County since 2015, the highest of any road.
Which month has the most truck crashes in Smith County?
February has the most truck crashes in Smith County, 10.5% of the yearly total.
Are garbage truck crashes common in Smith County?
4 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Smith County since 2015, 1.0% of all truck crashes.
How does Smith County compare with Tennessee for truck crashes?
Smith County records 175.8 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 60.1 across Tennessee.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in Smith County?
The free Route Planner takes your stops and returns a route risk score, safer alternatives and low-bridge warnings.
2026 is a partial year. Updated October 2026.