ZIP 20872 (Damascus, MD) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 20872: 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. Where it is higher: garbage-truck share and in rain, sleet or snow.
Montgomery County at a glance: 1 in 21 of truck crashes here involve garbage trucks: 4.8%, vs 3.1% in Maryland.
Overview
Montgomery County has recorded 3,957 truck crashes since 2015, with 2,079 people injured and 38 killed.
That averages about 1 truck crash a day in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
The worst month is December with 9.6% of truck crashes; the quietest is February at 6.8%.
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 40.1% of truck crashes, vs 40.4% for Maryland.
The busiest hour is 8–9 am, with 8.4% of truck crashes.
1.9% of truck crashes here happened on snow, slush or ice, against 2.4% across Maryland.
Where crashes happen
I-70 leads within 10 miles of ZIP 20872 with 7 fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015. After it: I-270 (4), SR-27 (2) and CR-407 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 190 crashes, 4.8% of the total, against 3.1% across Maryland.
Their busiest month is September, with 12% of garbage-truck crashes.
They recorded 2.2 deaths per 100 crashes, against 1.0 for all trucks.
Route planning tips for ZIP 20872 fleets
- Build extra time into December routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Where you can, review stops along I-70; it has the most fatal large-truck crashes nearby.
- Waste haulers: September is the peak month for garbage-truck crashes in Montgomery County.
- Use the free Route Planner to score your route and spot low bridges before drivers head out.
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 Montgomery County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-70 | 7 |
| I-270 | 4 |
| SR-27 | 2 |
| CR-407 | 1 |
| CR-4139 Wightman Rd | 1 |
| I-97 | 1 |
| Mu293 Pullman Ct | 1 |
| SR-355 | 1 |
| SR-80 | 1 |
| Sr-Green Valley Rd | 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 20872 at a glance
| Population | 13,983 |
| Density | 272 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $141,050 |
| Median home value | $505,392 |
| Home ownership | 89% |
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 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 177 to 354. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. NHTSA counts 2.0 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 3.0 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 20872
How many truck accidents are there in ZIP 20872?
3,957 truck crashes have been reported in Montgomery County since 2015, with 38 deaths and 2,079 injuries.
What is the most dangerous road for trucks in ZIP 20872?
I-70 had 7 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 20872 since 2015, more than any other road.
Which month has the most truck crashes in ZIP 20872?
Truck crashes in Montgomery County peak in December, with 9.6% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 20872?
Garbage trucks were involved in 190 reported crashes in Montgomery County since 2015 (4.8% of truck crashes).
How does ZIP 20872 compare with Maryland for truck crashes?
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 20872?
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.