ZIP 22971 (Shipman, VA) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 22971: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Nelson 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
1 of 161 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Nelson County compares with Virginia
Nelson County against Virginia and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Nelson County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Nelson County | Virginia | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 94.2 | 51.1 | 49.7 | 1.8× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 7.2 | 2.6 | 3.4 | 2.8× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.47 | 0.44 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 0.7% | 2.5% | 2.3% | 75% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 7.2% | 3.0% | 6.2% | 2.4× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 22.9% | 22.7% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 21.6% | 14.8% | 13.8% | 1.5× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 43.1% | 39.8% | 41.9% | 1.1× the state |
| After dark | 31.4% | 24.3% | 24.8% | 1.3× the state |
Nelson County has lower values than Virginia for garbage-truck share. Where it is higher: crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and on snow, slush or ice.
Nelson County at a glance: 7.2% share of truck crashes on snow, slush or ice (Virginia: 3.0%).
Overview
Police reported 161 crashes involving commercial trucks in Nelson County since 2015: 77 people were injured and 11 were killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 26 days.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in June (10.6% of the year) and are lowest in May (5.0%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 43.1% of truck crashes, vs 39.8% for Virginia.
The busiest hour is 3–4 pm, with 9.9% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 7.2% of truck crashes, compared with 3.0% in Virginia.
Where crashes happen
The deadliest road for trucks within 10 miles of ZIP 22971 is US-29, with 5 fatal large-truck crashes since 2015. It is followed by CR-639 (1), SR-6 (1) and US-9 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
1 crash involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 0.6% share (Virginia: 2.5%).
Route planning tips for ZIP 22971 fleets
- Review driver schedules for June, the month with the most truck crashes.
- Look at alternatives to US-29 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- With 7.2% of truck crashes on snow, slush or ice (above Virginia), 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 Nelson County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| US-29 | 5 |
| CR-639 | 1 |
| SR-6 | 1 |
| US-9 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Nelson County) |
|---|---|
| SR-29 | 21 |
| Thomas Nelson Hwy | 15 |
| Sb Rt 29 | 9 |
| Nb Rt 29 | 7 |
| Rt 29 South | 6 |
| SR-6 | 6 |
| Route 29 South Thomas Nelson Highway | 5 |
| Rt 29 Thomas Nelson Hwy | 5 |
ZIP 22971 at a glance
| Population | 2,359 |
| Density | 16 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $79,135 |
| Median home value | $314,192 |
| Home ownership | 78% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Nelson 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 | 8 | — | 0.5 |
| 2000s | 11 | +44% | 0.4 |
| 2010s | 12 | +12% | 0.5 |
| 2020s | 15 | +21% | 1.4 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 8 to 15. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. NHTSA counts 0.8 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 1.4 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 22971
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 22971?
161 truck crashes have been reported in Nelson County since 2015, with 11 deaths and 77 injuries.
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in ZIP 22971?
US-29 had 5 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 22971 since 2015, more than any other road.
Which month has the most truck crashes in ZIP 22971?
Truck crashes in Nelson County peak in June, with 10.6% of the year's crashes.
Are garbage truck crashes common in ZIP 22971?
Garbage trucks were involved in 1 reported crash in Nelson County since 2015 (0.6% of truck crashes).
What is the truck crash rate in ZIP 22971 compared with Virginia?
The yearly rate is 94.2 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in Nelson County, vs 51.1 for Virginia.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in ZIP 22971?
The free Route Planner takes your stops and returns a route risk score, safer alternatives and low-bridge warnings.
2026 is a partial year. Updated October 2026.