ZIP 20860 (Sandy Spring, MD) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 20860: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Montgomery 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
2.2 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 1.0 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Montgomery County compares with Maryland
Montgomery County against Maryland and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Montgomery County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Montgomery County | Maryland | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 31.8 | 49.3 | 49.7 | 35% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 1.0 | 2.2 | 3.4 | 55% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.53 | 0.53 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 4.8% | 3.1% | 2.3% | 1.6× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 1.9% | 2.4% | 6.2% | 19% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 26.3% | 24.7% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 15.9% | 13.8% | 13.8% | 1.1× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 40.1% | 40.4% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 24.9% | 25.2% | 24.8% | same |
Montgomery County has lower values than Maryland for crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and on snow, slush or ice. It runs above Maryland on garbage-truck share and in rain, sleet or snow.
What stands out in Montgomery County: 1 in 21 garbage-truck share of crashes is 4.8%, against 3.1% for Maryland.
Overview
Montgomery County has recorded 3,957 truck crashes since 2015, with 2,079 people injured and 38 killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly 1 truck crash every day.
When crashes happen
December has the most truck crashes, 9.6% of the yearly total, while February has the fewest (6.8%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 40.1% of truck crashes, against 40.4% across Maryland.
By time of day, 8–9 am stands out with 8.4% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 1.9% of truck crashes, compared with 2.4% in Maryland.
Where crashes happen
I-95 leads within 10 miles of ZIP 20860 with 12 fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015. After it: I-495 (4), I-270 (2) and SR-200 (2).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 190 of the truck crashes here, or 4.8%, compared with 3.1% in Maryland.
Garbage-truck crashes peak in September (12% of them).
Per 100 crashes, garbage trucks recorded 2.2 deaths compared with 1.0 for all trucks.
Route planning tips for ZIP 20860 fleets
- Plan December schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Montgomery County.
- Where you can, review stops along I-95; it has the most fatal large-truck crashes nearby.
- For residential and commercial waste routes, look again at September schedules: garbage-truck crashes peak then.
- 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 Montgomery County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-95 | 12 |
| I-495 | 4 |
| I-270 | 2 |
| SR-200 | 2 |
| SR-32 | 2 |
| Ashbury Dr | 1 |
| CR-124 Arcola Ave | 1 |
| CR-212 Shady Grove Rd | 1 |
| CR-3283 | 1 |
| CR-3434 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Montgomery County) |
|---|---|
| Capital Beltway | 851 |
| Eisenhower Memorial Hwy | 456 |
| Georgia Ave | 92 |
| Shady Grove Rd | 83 |
| Frederick Rd | 82 |
| Acrs Marked Off Road | 75 |
| New Hampshire Ave | 72 |
| Rockville Pike | 55 |
ZIP 20860 at a glance
| Population | 2,035 |
| Density | 218 per sq mi |
| Home ownership | 87% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Montgomery 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 | 177 | — | 3.7 |
| 2000s | 206 | +17% | 3.6 |
| 2010s | 262 | +27% | 2.6 |
| 2020s | 354 | +35% | 3.0 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 177 a year in the 1990s and 354 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 2.0 a year in 2016–19 and 3.0 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 20860
How many truck accidents are there in ZIP 20860?
Since 2015, 3,957 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Montgomery County (2,079 injured, 38 killed).
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in ZIP 20860?
Since 2015, I-95 has had the most fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 20860: 12.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in ZIP 20860?
Truck crashes in Montgomery County peak in December, with 9.6% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 20860?
190 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Montgomery County since 2015, 4.8% of all truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in ZIP 20860 compare with Maryland?
Montgomery County records 31.8 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 49.3 across Maryland.
How can I plan a safer truck route in ZIP 20860?
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.