Whatcom County, WA truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Whatcom 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
13 of 550 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Whatcom County compares with Washington
Whatcom County against Washington and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Whatcom County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Whatcom County | Washington | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 20.0 | 25.8 | 49.7 | 22% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 3.1 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 9% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.13 | 0.18 | 0.49 | 28% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.3% | 2.2% | 2.3% | same |
| On snow, slush or ice | 8.1% | 9.7% | 6.2% | 17% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 20.3% | 24.8% | 23.7% | 18% below the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 22.2% | 20.2% | 13.8% | 1.1× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 39.1% | 43.8% | 41.9% | 11% below the state |
| After dark | 24.9% | 25.2% | 24.8% | same |
Whatcom County sits below Washington on crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and injuries per crash. Where it is higher: in rain, sleet or snow.
Whatcom County at a glance: SR-9 3 fatal truck crashes since 2015, more than any other road in Whatcom County.
Overview
Since 2015, 550 crashes involving commercial trucks have been reported in Whatcom County. They injured 73 people and killed 16.
That averages about one truck crash every 8 days in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in January (10.2% of the year) and are lowest in February (4.5%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 39.1% of truck crashes, against 43.8% across Washington.
More truck crashes happen at 8–9 am than at any other hour (7.6%).
8.1% of truck crashes here happened on snow, slush or ice, against 9.7% across Washington.
Where crashes happen
SR-9 leads in Whatcom County with 3 fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015. It is followed by I-5 (2), SR-542 (2) and SR-543 (2).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 13 of the truck crashes here, or 2.4%, compared with 2.2% in Washington.
Route planning tips for Whatcom County fleets
- Plan January schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Whatcom County.
- Look at alternatives to SR-9 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- 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 Whatcom County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (in Whatcom County) |
|---|---|
| SR-9 | 3 |
| I-5 | 2 |
| SR-542 | 2 |
| SR-543 | 2 |
| SR-546 | 2 |
| CR-EVERSON Goshen Rd | 1 |
| CR-HANNEGAN Rd | 1 |
| CR-SLATER Rd | 1 |
| SR-548 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Whatcom County) |
|---|---|
| Sr-539*003.50 | 3 |
| Sr-539*008.57 | 3 |
| Sr-546*003.00 | 3 |
| Sr-9*086.00 | 3 |
| E Sunset Dr Blk 1800 | 2 |
| Everson Goshen Rd Blk 6200 | 2 |
| Everson Goshen Rd/E Smith Rd | 2 |
| Everson Goshen Road/Central Road | 2 |
Whatcom County at a glance
| Population | 234,954 |
| Land area | 2,107.9 sq mi |
| Density | 111 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP average) | $82,792 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Whatcom 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 | 27 | — | 1.7 |
| 2000s | 40 | +44% | 1.0 |
| 2010s | 44 | +11% | 1.2 |
| 2020s | 48 | +8% | 1.4 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 27 a year in the 1990s and 48 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 1.8 a year in 2016–19 and 1.4 a year in 2020–24.
Cities, towns & communities in Whatcom County
ZIP codes in Whatcom County
Nearby counties
Questions fleets ask about Whatcom County
How many truck accidents are there in Whatcom County?
Whatcom County has had 550 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 73 people and killing 16.
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in Whatcom County?
SR-9 had 3 fatal crashes involving a large truck in Whatcom County since 2015, more than any other road.
When do most truck crashes happen in Whatcom County?
The worst month is January: 10.2% of truck crashes in Whatcom County happen then.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in Whatcom County?
Garbage trucks were involved in 13 reported crashes in Whatcom County since 2015 (2.4% of truck crashes).
How does Whatcom County compare with Washington for truck crashes?
Per 100,000 residents, Whatcom County has 20.0 truck crashes a year; Washington has 25.8.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in Whatcom County?
Paste your stops into the free CurbWaste Route Planner: it scores your route against fatal-crash locations, suggests safer alternatives and flags low bridges.
2026 is a partial year. Updated October 2026.