Putnam County, WV truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Putnam 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
7 of 569 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Putnam County compares with West Virginia
Putnam County against West Virginia and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Putnam County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Putnam County | West Virginia | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 86.3 | 57.6 | 49.7 | 1.5× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 3.3 | 4.1 | 3.4 | 20% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.44 | 0.45 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 1.3% | 1.1% | 2.3% | 1.2× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 6.8% | 8.1% | 6.2% | 15% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 23.4% | 20.9% | 23.7% | 1.1× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 22.3% | 24.8% | 13.8% | 10% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 41.9% | 41.7% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 28.6% | 26.6% | 24.8% | 1.1× the state |
Compared with West Virginia, Putnam County is lower on deaths per 100 crashes, on snow, slush or ice and in rain, sleet or snow. Where it is higher: crashes per 100k residents / yr, garbage-truck share and morning rush (6–10 am).
The headline for Putnam County: US-35 most fatal truck crashes in Putnam County: 8 since 2015.
Overview
Putnam County has recorded 569 truck crashes since 2015, with 249 people injured and 18 killed.
That averages about one truck crash every 7 days in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
The worst month is October with 12.0% of truck crashes; the quietest is April at 6.3%.
The five winter months (November to March) hold 41.9% of truck crashes, against 41.7% across West Virginia.
The busiest hour is 9–10 am, with 6.7% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 6.8% of truck crashes, compared with 8.1% in West Virginia.
Where crashes happen
Within this area, US-35 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (8). After it: I-64 (4), CR-27 Heizer Creek Rd (1) and SR-3 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 7 of the truck crashes here, or 1.2%, compared with 1.1% in West Virginia.
Route planning tips for Putnam County fleets
- Review driver schedules for October, the month with the most truck crashes.
- Look at alternatives to US-35 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- Morning starts matter: 23.4% of truck crashes fall between 6 and 10 am, higher than West Virginia.
- Paste your stops into the free Route Planner to see the risk score, safer alternatives and low bridges.
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 Putnam County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (in Putnam County) |
|---|---|
| US-35 | 8 |
| I-64 | 4 |
| CR-27 Heizer Creek Rd | 1 |
| SR-3 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Putnam County) |
|---|---|
| SR-35 | 40 |
| Us Rt 35 | 36 |
| I-64 Mp 45 | 26 |
| I-64 | 19 |
| Wv Rt 34 | 14 |
| I-64 - Mp 45 | 12 |
| Rt 35 - Plantation Road | 10 |
| Us Rt 035 | 9 |
Putnam County at a glance
| Population | 57,067 |
| Land area | 345.7 sq mi |
| Density | 165 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP average) | $85,755 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Putnam 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 | 4 | — | 1.6 |
| 2000s | 50 | +1212% | 2.0 |
| 2010s | 44 | -13% | 0.9 |
| 2020s | 49 | +12% | 1.6 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 4 a year in the 1990s and 49 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. NHTSA counts 1.5 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 1.6 a year in 2020–24.
Cities, towns & communities in Putnam County
ZIP codes in Putnam County
Nearby counties
Questions fleets ask about Putnam County
How many truck crashes happen in Putnam County?
Since 2015, 569 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Putnam County (249 injured, 18 killed).
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in Putnam County?
NHTSA data shows US-35 with 8 fatal large-truck crashes in Putnam County since 2015, the highest of any road.
When do most truck crashes happen in Putnam County?
Truck crashes in Putnam County peak in October, with 12.0% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in Putnam County?
Garbage trucks were involved in 7 reported crashes in Putnam County since 2015 (1.2% of truck crashes).
How does Putnam County compare with West Virginia for truck crashes?
Putnam County records 86.3 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 57.6 across West Virginia.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in Putnam 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.