ZIP 02478 (Belmont, MA) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 02478: 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 |
Compared with Massachusetts, Middlesex County is lower on deaths per 100 crashes, injuries per crash and on snow, slush or ice. Where it is higher: garbage-truck share and morning rush (6–10 am).
ZIP 02478 at a glance: I-93 7 fatal truck crashes since 2015, more than any other road within 10 miles of ZIP 02478.
Overview
Middlesex County has recorded 4,505 truck crashes since 2015, with 1,863 people injured and 73 killed.
That averages about 1 truck crash a day in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in January (9.5% of the year) and are lowest in April (6.9%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 42.4% of truck crashes, vs 41.9% for Massachusetts.
More truck crashes happen at 8–9 am than at any other hour (9.1%).
6.2% of truck crashes here happened on snow, slush or ice, against 6.6% across Massachusetts.
Where crashes happen
I-93 leads within 10 miles of ZIP 02478 with 7 fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015. It is followed by I-95 (4), SR-2A (4) and I-90 (3).
Garbage & waste trucks
255 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 5.7% share (Massachusetts: 5.3%).
The most garbage-truck crashes happen in November (12%).
Deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes: 1.2, vs 1.7 for all truck crashes.
Route planning tips for ZIP 02478 fleets
- Plan January schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Middlesex County.
- Where you can, review stops along I-93; it has the most fatal large-truck crashes nearby.
- Garbage-truck crashes here peak in November; review collection routes for that month.
- 30.4% of truck crashes happen between 6 and 10 am, above Massachusetts; consider earlier or later starts where possible.
- Use the free Route Planner to score your route and spot low bridges before drivers head out.
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 Middlesex County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-93 | 7 |
| I-95 | 4 |
| SR-2A | 4 |
| I-90 | 3 |
| SR-16 | 3 |
| Washington St | 3 |
| Cambridge St | 2 |
| Common 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 02478 at a glance
| Population | 27,175 |
| Density | 2,259 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $183,137 |
| Median home value | $1,158,238 |
| Home ownership | 65% |
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 |
In the 1990s about 107 truck crashes a year were reported; in the 2020s, about 406. Reporting coverage also changed between these periods. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 4.2 a year in 2016–19 and 7.0 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 02478
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 02478?
4,505 truck crashes have been reported in Middlesex County since 2015, with 73 deaths and 1,863 injuries.
What is the most dangerous road for trucks in ZIP 02478?
NHTSA data shows I-93 with 7 fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 02478 since 2015, the highest of any road.
When do most truck crashes happen in ZIP 02478?
Truck crashes in Middlesex County peak in January, with 9.5% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in ZIP 02478?
Since 2015, Middlesex County has reported 255 garbage-truck crashes, or 5.7% of its truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in ZIP 02478 compare with Massachusetts?
Per 100,000 residents, Middlesex County has 23.2 truck crashes a year; Massachusetts has 22.9.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in ZIP 02478?
The free Route Planner takes your stops and returns a route risk score, safer alternatives and low-bridge warnings.
2026 is a partial year. Updated October 2026.