ZIP 07078 (Short Hills, NJ) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 07078: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Essex 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
2.6 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 1.3 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Essex County compares with New Jersey
Essex County against New Jersey and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Essex County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Essex County | New Jersey | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 49.5 | 56.6 | 49.7 | 13% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 1.3 | 1.6 | 3.4 | 19% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.54 | 0.58 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 4.0% | 3.6% | 2.3% | 1.1× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 2.9% | 3.3% | 6.2% | 13% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 28.3% | 26.0% | 23.7% | 1.1× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 12.6% | 13.7% | 13.8% | 8% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 42.5% | 40.9% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 18.9% | 19.9% | 24.8% | same |
Essex County sits below New Jersey on crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and on snow, slush or ice. Where it is higher: garbage-truck share and morning rush (6–10 am).
What stands out in ZIP 07078: I-78 11 fatal truck crashes since 2015, more than any other road within 10 miles of ZIP 07078.
Overview
Essex County has recorded 5,012 truck crashes since 2015, with 2,742 people injured and 67 killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly 1 truck crash every day.
When crashes happen
October has the most truck crashes, 9.8% of the yearly total, while April has the fewest (7.2%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 42.5% of truck crashes, against 40.9% across New Jersey.
The busiest hour is 9–10 am, with 8.2% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 2.9% of truck crashes, compared with 3.3% in New Jersey.
Where crashes happen
Within this area, I-78 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (11). After it: I-95 (8), I-280 (6) and US-1 (6).
Garbage & waste trucks
200 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 4.0% share (New Jersey: 3.6%).
Their busiest month is October, with 12% of garbage-truck crashes.
Per 100 crashes, garbage trucks recorded 2.6 deaths compared with 1.3 for all trucks.
Route planning tips for ZIP 07078 fleets
- Build extra time into October routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Look at alternatives to I-78 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- Garbage-truck crashes here peak in October; review collection routes for that month.
- 28.3% of truck crashes happen between 6 and 10 am, above New Jersey; consider earlier or later starts where possible.
- Check your own stops for crash hotspots and low bridges with the free Route Planner.
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 Essex County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-78 | 11 |
| I-95 | 8 |
| I-280 | 6 |
| US-1 | 6 |
| I-80 | 4 |
| SR-21 | 4 |
| SR-124 | 3 |
| SR-27 | 3 |
| CR-506 Bloomfield Ave | 2 |
| SR-24 | 2 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Essex County) |
|---|---|
| I-95, N.J. Turnpike | 745 |
| I-280 | 380 |
| I-78 | 357 |
| US-1 | 313 |
| Nj 21 | 270 |
| SR-506 | 95 |
| I-80 | 79 |
| Doremus Ave | 64 |
ZIP 07078 at a glance
| Population | 14,613 |
| Density | 706 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $250,001 |
| Median home value | $1,722,409 |
| Home ownership | 88% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Essex 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 | 226 | — | 5.7 |
| 2000s | 558 | +146% | 3.1 |
| 2010s | 448 | -20% | 3.8 |
| 2020s | 397 | -11% | 5.2 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 226 a year in the 1990s and 397 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 4.0 a year in 2016–19 and 5.2 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 07078
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 07078?
Since 2015, 5,012 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Essex County (2,742 injured, 67 killed).
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in ZIP 07078?
I-78 had 11 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 07078 since 2015, more than any other road.
When do most truck crashes happen in ZIP 07078?
Truck crashes in Essex County peak in October, with 9.8% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in ZIP 07078?
200 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Essex County since 2015, 4.0% of all truck crashes.
How does ZIP 07078 compare with New Jersey for truck crashes?
The yearly rate is 49.5 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in Essex County, vs 56.6 for New Jersey.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in ZIP 07078?
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.