ZIP 15038 (Elrama, PA) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 15038: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Washington 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
4.3 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 2.0 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Washington County compares with Pennsylvania
Washington County against Pennsylvania and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Washington County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Washington County | Pennsylvania | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 80.1 | 57.2 | 49.7 | 1.4× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 2.0 | 2.6 | 3.4 | 23% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.43 | 0.47 | 0.49 | 9% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.5% | 3.6% | 2.3% | 31% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 9.0% | 9.1% | 6.2% | same |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 22.5% | 24.5% | 23.7% | 8% below the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 20.6% | 19.0% | 13.8% | 1.1× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 41.0% | 42.7% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 28.8% | 24.2% | 24.8% | 1.2× the state |
Washington County sits below Pennsylvania on deaths per 100 crashes, injuries per crash and garbage-truck share. It stands out for higher crashes per 100k residents / yr, in rain, sleet or snow and after dark.
The headline for ZIP 15038: I-70 most fatal truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 15038: 6 since 2015.
Overview
Since 2015, 1,982 crashes involving commercial trucks have been reported in Washington County. They injured 862 people and killed 38.
That averages about one truck crash every 2 days in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
January has the most truck crashes, 10.9% of the yearly total, while November has the fewest (6.8%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 41.0% of truck crashes, vs 42.7% for Pennsylvania.
By time of day, 2–3 pm stands out with 7.3% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 9.0% of truck crashes, compared with 9.1% in Pennsylvania.
Where crashes happen
The deadliest road for trucks within 10 miles of ZIP 15038 is I-70, with 6 fatal large-truck crashes since 2015. It is followed by SR-51 (3), CR-OLD Clairton Rd (1) and Monongahela Blvd (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 50 crashes, 2.5% of the total, against 3.6% across Pennsylvania.
Their busiest month is January, with 16% of garbage-truck crashes.
Per 100 crashes, garbage trucks recorded 4.3 deaths compared with 2.0 for all trucks.
Route planning tips for ZIP 15038 fleets
- Review driver schedules for January, the month with the most truck crashes.
- Check whether your routes use I-70, the road with the most fatal truck crashes in this area.
- Garbage-truck crashes here peak in January; review collection routes for that month.
- 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 Washington County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-70 | 6 |
| SR-51 | 3 |
| CR-OLD Clairton Rd | 1 |
| Monongahela Blvd | 1 |
| SR-0837 | 1 |
| SR-136 | 1 |
| SR-3016 | 1 |
| SR-48 | 1 |
| SR-837 | 1 |
| Scene Ridge Rd | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Washington County) |
|---|---|
| I-0070 | 835 |
| I-0079 | 253 |
| SR-0018 | 94 |
| SR-0019 | 56 |
| SR-0040 | 45 |
| SR-0022 | 43 |
| SR-0088 | 33 |
| SR-0519 | 33 |
ZIP 15038 at a glance
| Population | 279 |
| Density | 367 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $31,824 |
| Home ownership | 42% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Washington 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 | 127 | — | 3.3 |
| 2000s | 115 | -9% | 3.4 |
| 2010s | 153 | +33% | 2.9 |
| 2020s | 147 | -4% | 2.6 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 127 a year in the 1990s and 147 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 3.8 a year in 2016–19 and 2.6 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 15038
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 15038?
Since 2015, 1,982 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Washington County (862 injured, 38 killed).
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in ZIP 15038?
I-70 had 6 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 15038 since 2015, more than any other road.
When do most truck crashes happen in ZIP 15038?
The worst month is January: 10.9% of truck crashes in Washington County happen then.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 15038?
Since 2015, Washington County has reported 50 garbage-truck crashes, or 2.5% of its truck crashes.
What is the truck crash rate in ZIP 15038 compared with Pennsylvania?
The yearly rate is 80.1 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in Washington County, vs 57.2 for Pennsylvania.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in ZIP 15038?
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.