ZIP 21561 (Swanton, MD) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 21561: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Garrett 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
5 of 378 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Garrett County compares with Maryland
Garrett County against Maryland and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Garrett County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Garrett County | Maryland | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 112.1 | 49.3 | 49.7 | 2.3× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 4.6 | 2.2 | 3.4 | 2.1× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.53 | 0.53 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 1.4% | 3.1% | 2.3% | 53% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 18.3% | 2.4% | 6.2% | 7.6× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 21.4% | 24.7% | 23.7% | 13% below the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 22.9% | 13.8% | 13.8% | 1.7× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 44.0% | 40.4% | 41.9% | 1.1× the state |
| After dark | 29.7% | 25.2% | 24.8% | 1.2× the state |
Garrett County has lower values than Maryland for garbage-truck share and morning rush (6–10 am). It stands out for higher crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and on snow, slush or ice.
Garrett County at a glance: 18.3% share of truck crashes on snow, slush or ice (Maryland: 2.4%).
Overview
Police reported 378 crashes involving commercial trucks in Garrett County since 2015: 196 people were injured and 17 were killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 11 days.
When crashes happen
The worst month is January with 12.2% of truck crashes; the quietest is September at 5.0%.
November through March accounts for 44.0% of truck crashes here, compared with 40.4% in Maryland.
By time of day, 1–2 pm stands out with 9.3% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 18.3% of truck crashes, compared with 2.4% in Maryland.
Where crashes happen
Fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 21561 since 2015 were spread across roads: SR-135 (2), SR-495 (1) and SR-935 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
5 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 1.3% share (Maryland: 3.1%).
Route planning tips for ZIP 21561 fleets
- Plan January schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Garrett County.
- 18.3% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice, above Maryland; plan winter equipment checks before the season.
- Paste your stops into the free Route Planner to see the risk score, safer alternatives and low bridges.
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 Garrett County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| SR-135 | 2 |
| SR-495 | 1 |
| SR-935 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Garrett County) |
|---|---|
| National Freeway | 135 |
| Garrett Hwy | 27 |
| Maryland Hwy | 17 |
| Bittinger Rd | 13 |
| National Pike | 11 |
| Is 68 - National Freeway | 10 |
| Acrs Marked Off Road | 6 |
| Friendsville Rd | 6 |
ZIP 21561 at a glance
| Population | 2,412 |
| Density | 9 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $73,858 |
| Median home value | $321,343 |
| Home ownership | 88% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Garrett 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 | 20 | — | 1.7 |
| 2000s | 21 | +5% | 1.4 |
| 2010s | 26 | +23% | 0.7 |
| 2020s | 34 | +33% | 1.6 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 20 to 34. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. Fatal large-truck crashes: 1.0 a year in 2016–19, 1.6 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 21561
How many truck crashes happen in ZIP 21561?
378 truck crashes have been reported in Garrett County since 2015, with 17 deaths and 196 injuries.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in ZIP 21561?
The worst month is January: 12.2% of truck crashes in Garrett County happen then.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 21561?
Since 2015, Garrett County has reported 5 garbage-truck crashes, or 1.3% of its truck crashes.
What is the truck crash rate in ZIP 21561 compared with Maryland?
The yearly rate is 112.1 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in Garrett County, vs 49.3 for Maryland.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in ZIP 21561?
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.