ZIP 20542 (Washington, DC) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 20542: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in District of Columbia, 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
0.0 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 0.8 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How District of Columbia compares with District of Columbia
District of Columbia against District of Columbia and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | District of Columbia | District of Columbia | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 18.7 | 18.7 | 49.7 | same |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 0.8 | 0.8 | 3.4 | same |
| Injuries per crash | 1.12 | 1.12 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 4.4% | 4.4% | 2.3% | same |
| On snow, slush or ice | 0.1% | 0.1% | 6.2% | same |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 28.2% | 28.2% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 7.6% | 7.6% | 13.8% | same |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 40.9% | 40.9% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 8.7% | 8.7% | 24.8% | same |
District of Columbia is close to District of Columbia on most measures.
The headline for ZIP 20542: I-95 deadliest road: 17 fatal truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 20542 since 2015.
Overview
Police reported 1,539 crashes involving commercial trucks in District of Columbia since 2015: 1,676 people were injured and 13 were killed.
That averages about one truck crash every 3 days in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
The worst month is July with 9.7% of truck crashes; the quietest is December at 6.8%.
The five winter months (November to March) hold 40.9% of truck crashes, against 40.9% across District of Columbia.
By time of day, 9–10 am stands out with 9.4% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 0.1% of truck crashes, compared with 0.1% in District of Columbia.
Where crashes happen
The deadliest road for trucks within 10 miles of ZIP 20542 is I-95, with 17 fatal large-truck crashes since 2015. After it: I-495 (9), US-50 (3) and SR-190 (2).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 68 crashes, 4.4% of the total, against 4.4% across District of Columbia.
Their busiest month is November, with 15% of garbage-truck crashes.
They recorded 0.0 deaths per 100 crashes, against 0.8 for all trucks.
Route planning tips for ZIP 20542 fleets
- Review driver schedules for July, the month with the most truck crashes.
- Check whether your routes use I-95, the road with the most fatal truck crashes in this area.
- Garbage-truck crashes here peak in November; review collection routes for that month.
- 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 District of Columbia
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-95 | 17 |
| I-495 | 9 |
| US-50 | 3 |
| SR-190 | 2 |
| SR-193 | 2 |
| SR-201 | 2 |
| SR-214 | 2 |
| SR-410 | 2 |
| SR-414 | 2 |
| 21st St Nw | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (District of Columbia) |
|---|---|
| New York Avenue Ne | 46 |
| Interstate 395 Interstate Bn | 33 |
| Kenilworth Avenue Ne | 29 |
| Pennsylvania Avenue Se | 27 |
| Massachusetts Avenue Nw | 23 |
| Georgia Avenue Nw | 22 |
| Benning Road Ne | 20 |
| New York Avenue Nw | 16 |
ZIP 20542 at a glance
| Population | 0 |
| Density | 0 per sq mi |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in District of Columbia 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 | 1 | — | 2.1 |
| 2000s | 84 | +11716% | 1.7 |
| 2010s | 148 | +75% | 1.8 |
| 2020s | 142 | -4% | 1.8 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 1 a year in the 1990s and 142 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal large-truck crashes: 0.8 a year in 2016–19, 1.8 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 20542
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 20542?
Since 2015, 1,539 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in District of Columbia (1,676 injured, 13 killed).
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in ZIP 20542?
I-95 had 17 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 20542 since 2015, more than any other road.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in ZIP 20542?
The worst month is July: 9.7% of truck crashes in District of Columbia happen then.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in ZIP 20542?
Since 2015, District of Columbia has reported 68 garbage-truck crashes, or 4.4% of its truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in ZIP 20542 compare with District of Columbia?
Per 100,000 residents, District of Columbia has 18.7 truck crashes a year; District of Columbia has 18.7.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in ZIP 20542?
Paste your stops into the free CurbWaste Route Planner: it scores your route against fatal-crash locations, suggests safer alternatives and flags low bridges.
2026 is a partial year. Updated October 2026.