Zapata County, TX truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Zapata 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
0 of 51 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Zapata County compares with Texas
Zapata County against Texas and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Zapata County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Zapata County | Texas | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 30.3 | 62.9 | 49.7 | 52% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 6.5 | 4.1 | 3.4 | 1.6× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.93 | 0.58 | 0.49 | 1.6× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 0.0% | 1.1% | 2.3% | 100% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 2.2% | 1.7% | 6.2% | 1.3× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 30.4% | 22.6% | 23.7% | 1.3× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 2.2% | 11.3% | 13.8% | 81% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 50.0% | 40.8% | 41.9% | 1.2× the state |
| After dark | 32.6% | 27.0% | 24.8% | 1.2× the state |
Compared with Texas, Zapata County is lower on crashes per 100k residents / yr, garbage-truck share and in rain, sleet or snow. Where it is higher: deaths per 100 crashes, injuries per crash and on snow, slush or ice.
What stands out in Zapata County: November the month with the most truck crashes: 19.6% of the year's total.
Overview
Police reported 51 crashes involving commercial trucks in Zapata County since 2015: 50 people were injured and 3 were killed.
That averages about one truck crash every 87 days in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
The worst month is November with 19.6% of truck crashes; the quietest is February at 0.0%.
The five winter months (November to March) hold 50.0% of truck crashes, against 40.8% across Texas.
By time of day, 8–9 am stands out with 11.8% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 2.2% of truck crashes, compared with 1.7% in Texas.
Where crashes happen
Fatal large-truck crashes in Zapata County since 2015 were spread across roads: US-83 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
No crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Zapata County since 2015.
Route planning tips for Zapata County fleets
- Plan November schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Zapata County.
- The morning rush (6–10 am) holds 30.4% of truck crashes here, more than Texas; adjust start times where you can.
- With 2.2% of truck crashes on snow, slush or ice (above Texas), plan winter equipment checks early.
- 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 Zapata County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (in Zapata County) |
|---|---|
| US-83 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Zapata County) |
|---|---|
| US-83 | 4 |
| Agua Ave | 1 |
| Aguilares Rd | 1 |
| Hidalgo Blvd | 1 |
| Jennings Rd | 1 |
| S Mp-754 Us 83 Hwy | 1 |
Zapata County at a glance
| Population | 13,819 |
| Land area | 998.4 sq mi |
| Density | 14 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP average) | $38,813 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Zapata 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 | 12 | — | 1.1 |
| 2000s | 12 | +1% | 1.0 |
| 2010s | 6 | -47% | 0.3 |
| 2020s | 4 | -41% | 0.2 |
In the 1990s about 12 truck crashes a year were reported; in the 2020s, about 4. Reporting coverage also changed between these periods. Fatal large-truck crashes: 0.0 a year in 2016–19, 0.2 a year in 2020–24.
Cities, towns & communities in Zapata County
ZIP codes in Zapata County
Nearby counties
Questions fleets ask about Zapata County
How many truck accidents are there in Zapata County?
Since 2015, 51 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Zapata County (50 injured, 3 killed).
When do most truck crashes happen in Zapata County?
The worst month is November: 19.6% of truck crashes in Zapata County happen then.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in Zapata County?
Garbage trucks were involved in 0 reported crashes in Zapata County since 2015 (0.0% of truck crashes).
How does Zapata County compare with Texas for truck crashes?
Zapata County records 30.3 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 62.9 across Texas.
How can I plan a safer truck route in Zapata 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.