ZIP 02461 (Newton Highlands, MA) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 02461: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Middlesex County, 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
1.2 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 1.7 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Middlesex County compares with Massachusetts
Middlesex County against Massachusetts and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Middlesex County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Middlesex County | Massachusetts | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 23.2 | 22.9 | 49.7 | same |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 1.7 | 2.0 | 3.4 | 15% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.41 | 0.46 | 0.49 | 11% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 5.7% | 5.3% | 2.3% | 1.1× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 6.2% | 6.6% | 6.2% | 7% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 30.4% | 27.3% | 23.7% | 1.1× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 11.8% | 13.2% | 13.8% | 10% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 42.4% | 41.9% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 17.5% | 19.2% | 24.8% | 9% below the state |
Middlesex County sits below Massachusetts on deaths per 100 crashes, injuries per crash and on snow, slush or ice. It stands out for higher garbage-truck share and morning rush (6–10 am).
The headline for ZIP 02461: 1.6× yearly fatal truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 02461: 4.0 in 2016–19, 6.2 in 2020–24.
Overview
Since 2015, 4,505 crashes involving commercial trucks have been reported in Middlesex County. They injured 1,863 people and killed 73.
In complete reporting years that works out to about 1 truck crash a day.
When crashes happen
The worst month is January with 9.5% of truck crashes; the quietest is April at 6.9%.
The five winter months (November to March) hold 42.4% of truck crashes, against 41.9% across Massachusetts.
By time of day, 8–9 am stands out with 9.1% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 6.2% of truck crashes, compared with 6.6% in Massachusetts.
Where crashes happen
Roads with fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 02461 since 2015: I-93 (4), I-95 (4), SR-2A (4), I-90 (3) and SR-16 (3). No single road stands out.
Garbage & waste trucks
255 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 5.7% share (Massachusetts: 5.3%).
Their busiest month is November, with 12% of garbage-truck crashes.
Per 100 crashes, garbage trucks recorded 1.2 deaths compared with 1.7 for all trucks.
Route planning tips for ZIP 02461 fleets
- Review driver schedules for January, the month with the most truck crashes.
- Waste haulers: November is the peak month for garbage-truck crashes in Middlesex County.
- The morning rush (6–10 am) holds 30.4% of truck crashes here, more than Massachusetts; adjust start times where you can.
- Use the free Route Planner to score your route and spot low bridges before drivers head out.
About the data
Sources: the FMCSA crash file for all reported truck crashes and NHTSA FARS for fatal crashes with a large truck. Every statement here comes straight from those numbers.
Truck crashes by year: all trucks vs garbage trucks
Seasonality: when trucks crash in Middlesex County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-93 | 4 |
| I-95 | 4 |
| SR-2A | 4 |
| I-90 | 3 |
| SR-16 | 3 |
| SR-28 | 3 |
| Washington St | 3 |
| Cambridge St | 2 |
| Massachusetts Ave | 2 |
| Putnam Ave | 2 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Middlesex County) |
|---|---|
| Main St | 52 |
| Rte 495 | 24 |
| Washington St | 19 |
| Ballardvale St | 19 |
| Main Street | 16 |
| Boston Post Rd | 16 |
| Rte 90 E X 123 | 15 |
| Lowell St | 13 |
ZIP 02461 at a glance
| Population | 6,975 |
| Density | 1,754 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $224,000 |
| Median home value | $1,272,089 |
| Home ownership | 76% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Middlesex 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 | 107 | — | 5.5 |
| 2000s | 284 | +165% | 4.7 |
| 2010s | 398 | +40% | 4.5 |
| 2020s | 406 | +2% | 7.0 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 107 a year in the 1990s and 406 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal large-truck crashes: 4.2 a year in 2016–19, 7.0 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 02461
How many truck accidents are there in ZIP 02461?
Since 2015, 4,505 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Middlesex County (1,863 injured, 73 killed).
Which month has the most truck crashes in ZIP 02461?
The worst month is January: 9.5% of truck crashes in Middlesex County happen then.
Are garbage truck crashes common in ZIP 02461?
Since 2015, Middlesex County has reported 255 garbage-truck crashes, or 5.7% of its truck crashes.
What is the truck crash rate in ZIP 02461 compared with Massachusetts?
Per 100,000 residents, Middlesex County has 23.2 truck crashes a year; Massachusetts has 22.9.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in ZIP 02461?
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.