ZIP 18055 (Hellertown, PA) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 18055: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Northampton 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
2.8 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 1.7 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Northampton County compares with Pennsylvania
Northampton County against Pennsylvania and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Northampton County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Northampton County | Pennsylvania | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 56.5 | 57.2 | 49.7 | same |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 1.7 | 2.6 | 3.4 | 35% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.49 | 0.47 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 3.6% | 3.6% | 2.3% | same |
| On snow, slush or ice | 4.9% | 9.1% | 6.2% | 46% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 24.7% | 24.5% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 18.9% | 19.0% | 13.8% | same |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 38.6% | 42.7% | 41.9% | 10% below the state |
| After dark | 24.2% | 24.2% | 24.8% | same |
Northampton County has lower values than Pennsylvania for deaths per 100 crashes, on snow, slush or ice and winter months (nov–mar).
ZIP 18055 at a glance: I-78 8 fatal truck crashes since 2015, more than any other road within 10 miles of ZIP 18055.
Overview
Northampton County has recorded 2,134 truck crashes since 2015, with 1,038 people injured and 35 killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 2 days.
When crashes happen
August has the most truck crashes, 10.3% of the yearly total, while April has the fewest (6.4%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 38.6% of truck crashes, vs 42.7% for Pennsylvania.
More truck crashes happen at 10–11 am than at any other hour (7.5%).
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 4.9% of truck crashes, compared with 9.1% in Pennsylvania.
Where crashes happen
I-78 leads within 10 miles of ZIP 18055 with 8 fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015. It is followed by US-22 (3), SR-309 (2) and SR-33 (2).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 75 crashes, 3.5% of the total, against 3.6% across Pennsylvania.
The most garbage-truck crashes happen in November (13%).
Deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes: 2.8, vs 1.7 for all truck crashes.
Route planning tips for ZIP 18055 fleets
- Plan August schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Northampton County.
- Look at alternatives to I-78 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- Garbage-truck crashes here peak in November; review collection routes for that month.
- Paste your stops into the free Route Planner to see the risk score, safer alternatives and low bridges.
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 Northampton County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-78 | 8 |
| US-22 | 3 |
| SR-309 | 2 |
| SR-33 | 2 |
| SR-378 | 2 |
| Mu-American Pkwy | 1 |
| SR-0033 | 1 |
| SR-0121 | 1 |
| SR-145 | 1 |
| SR-2007 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Northampton County) |
|---|---|
| I-0078 | 473 |
| SR-0033 | 216 |
| SR-0022 | 178 |
| SR-0512 | 167 |
| SR-0248 | 107 |
| SR-0191 | 49 |
| SR-0611 | 47 |
| SR-1002 | 41 |
ZIP 18055 at a glance
| Population | 12,117 |
| Density | 234 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $90,234 |
| Median home value | $323,408 |
| Home ownership | 78% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Northampton 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 | 97 | — | 2.5 |
| 2000s | 116 | +20% | 3.4 |
| 2010s | 132 | +13% | 3.8 |
| 2020s | 206 | +56% | 2.0 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 97 a year in the 1990s and 206 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. NHTSA counts 3.5 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 2.0 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 18055
How many truck crashes happen in ZIP 18055?
Since 2015, 2,134 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Northampton County (1,038 injured, 35 killed).
What is the most dangerous road for trucks in ZIP 18055?
I-78 had 8 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 18055 since 2015, more than any other road.
Which month has the most truck crashes in ZIP 18055?
Truck crashes in Northampton County peak in August, with 10.3% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 18055?
Since 2015, Northampton County has reported 75 garbage-truck crashes, or 3.5% of its truck crashes.
How does ZIP 18055 compare with Pennsylvania for truck crashes?
The yearly rate is 56.5 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in Northampton County, vs 57.2 for Pennsylvania.
How can I plan a safer truck route in ZIP 18055?
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.