Cato, WI truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Cato: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes in Cato and Manitowoc County, dangerous roads, seasonality and route safety data for fleets. Patterns use Manitowoc County numbers.
Where fatal truck crashes happened
Risk scorecard
Key findings
Snapshot
Crashes by month
Garbage trucks vs all trucks
15 of 403 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Manitowoc County compares with Wisconsin
Manitowoc County against Wisconsin and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Manitowoc County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Manitowoc County | Wisconsin | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 41.6 | 42.6 | 49.7 | same |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 4.6 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 1.4× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.44 | 0.46 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 4.0% | 2.7% | 2.3% | 1.5× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 22.0% | 13.4% | 6.2% | 1.6× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 31.4% | 26.9% | 23.7% | 1.2× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 18.8% | 16.5% | 13.8% | 1.1× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 47.7% | 44.9% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 15.0% | 20.9% | 24.8% | 28% below the state |
Compared with Wisconsin, Manitowoc County is lower on after dark. It runs above Wisconsin on deaths per 100 crashes, garbage-truck share and on snow, slush or ice.
Manitowoc County at a glance: 22.0% share of truck crashes on snow, slush or ice (Wisconsin: 13.4%).
Overview
Manitowoc County has recorded 403 truck crashes since 2015, with 172 people injured and 18 killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 11 days.
With 11 truck crashes reported in Cato since 2015, this page uses Manitowoc County numbers for its patterns and comparisons.
When crashes happen
The worst month is January with 12.7% of truck crashes; the quietest is April at 6.2%.
November through March accounts for 47.7% of truck crashes here, compared with 44.9% in Wisconsin.
By time of day, 1–2 pm stands out with 10.4% of truck crashes.
22.0% of truck crashes here happened on snow, slush or ice, against 13.4% across Wisconsin.
Where crashes happen
Roads with fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of Cato since 2015: CR-K (2), US-151 (2), CR-CR (1), CR-F (1) and US-10 (1). No single road stands out.
Garbage & waste trucks
15 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 3.7% share (Wisconsin: 2.7%).
Route planning tips for Cato fleets
- Review driver schedules for January, the month with the most truck crashes.
- The morning rush (6–10 am) holds 31.4% of truck crashes here, more than Wisconsin; adjust start times where you can.
- With 22.0% of truck crashes on snow, slush or ice (above Wisconsin), 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 Manitowoc County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| CR-K | 2 |
| US-151 | 2 |
| CR-CR | 1 |
| CR-F | 1 |
| US-10 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Manitowoc County) |
|---|---|
| I-043 | 111 |
| Ush 151 | 30 |
| Ush 010 | 16 |
| Sth 042 | 14 |
| Cth | 12 |
| Sth 032 | 8 |
| Cth K | 7 |
| Cth C | 7 |
Cato at a glance
| Population | 1,644 |
| Land area | 34.5 sq mi |
| Density | 48 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP 54230) | $87,688 |
| Median home value (ZIP 54230) | $227,135 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Manitowoc 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 | 43 | — | 1.6 |
| 2000s | 36 | -16% | 1.6 |
| 2010s | 35 | -1% | 1.1 |
| 2020s | 31 | -11% | 1.4 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 43 to 31. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. NHTSA counts 1.2 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 1.4 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby places
Questions fleets ask about Cato
How common are truck crashes in Cato?
Manitowoc County has had 403 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 172 people and killing 18.
When do most truck crashes happen in Cato?
The worst month is January: 12.7% of truck crashes in Manitowoc County happen then.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in Cato?
15 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Manitowoc County since 2015, 3.7% of all truck crashes.
What is the truck crash rate in Cato compared with Wisconsin?
The yearly rate is 41.6 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in Manitowoc County, vs 42.6 for Wisconsin.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in Cato?
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.