ZIP 19977 (Smyrna, DE) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 19977: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Kent 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
6.2 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 3.3 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Kent County compares with Delaware
Kent County against Delaware and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Kent County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Kent County | Delaware | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 39.1 | 53.2 | 49.7 | 27% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 3.3 | 2.6 | 3.4 | 1.3× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.56 | 0.52 | 0.49 | 1.1× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 3.9% | 3.7% | 2.3% | same |
| On snow, slush or ice | 3.7% | 2.2% | 6.2% | 1.7× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 25.8% | 25.1% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 11.7% | 12.0% | 13.8% | same |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 41.4% | 39.9% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 24.1% | 22.7% | 24.8% | same |
Compared with Delaware, Kent County is lower on crashes per 100k residents / yr. It stands out for higher deaths per 100 crashes, injuries per crash and on snow, slush or ice.
What stands out in Kent County: 3.7% of truck crashes happened on snow, slush or ice, vs 2.2% in Delaware.
Overview
Police reported 893 crashes involving commercial trucks in Kent County since 2015: 511 people were injured and 29 were killed.
That averages about one truck crash every 5 days in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in March (9.2% of the year) and are lowest in December (6.9%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 41.4% of truck crashes, against 39.9% across Delaware.
The busiest hour is 1–2 pm, with 8.1% of truck crashes.
Road surface: 3.7% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (Delaware: 2.2%).
Where crashes happen
Within this area, US-13 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (9). After it: SR-1 (3).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 32 crashes, 3.6% of the total, against 3.7% across Delaware.
Garbage-truck crashes peak in April (19% of them).
They recorded 6.2 deaths per 100 crashes, against 3.3 for all trucks.
Route planning tips for ZIP 19977 fleets
- Plan March schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Kent County.
- Check whether your routes use US-13, the road with the most fatal truck crashes in this area.
- Waste haulers: April is the peak month for garbage-truck crashes in Kent County.
- With 3.7% of truck crashes on snow, slush or ice (above Delaware), plan winter equipment checks early.
- Check your own stops for crash hotspots and low bridges with the free Route Planner.
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 Kent County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| US-13 | 9 |
| SR-1 | 3 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Kent County) |
|---|---|
| Us13 S Dupont Hwy | 56 |
| Sr1 Korean War Vets Mem Hwy | 37 |
| S Dupont Hwy | 29 |
| Us13 N Dupont Hwy | 28 |
| Bay Rd | 27 |
| Sr1 Bay Rd | 24 |
| Us 13 S Dupont Hwy | 23 |
| Sr-1 Bay Rd | 19 |
ZIP 19977 at a glance
| Population | 27,704 |
| Density | 129 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $76,826 |
| Median home value | $337,453 |
| Home ownership | 83% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Kent 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 | 56 | — | 2.0 |
| 2000s | 40 | -28% | 1.9 |
| 2010s | 64 | +59% | 1.5 |
| 2020s | 77 | +20% | 2.4 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 56 to 77. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 1.0 a year in 2016–19 and 2.4 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 19977
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 19977?
Since 2015, 893 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Kent County (511 injured, 29 killed).
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in ZIP 19977?
NHTSA data shows US-13 with 9 fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 19977 since 2015, the highest of any road.
When do most truck crashes happen in ZIP 19977?
The worst month is March: 9.2% of truck crashes in Kent County happen then.
Are garbage truck crashes common in ZIP 19977?
Garbage trucks were involved in 32 reported crashes in Kent County since 2015 (3.6% of truck crashes).
How do truck crashes in ZIP 19977 compare with Delaware?
Per 100,000 residents, Kent County has 39.1 truck crashes a year; Delaware has 53.2.
How can I plan a safer truck route in ZIP 19977?
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.