ZIP 28012 (Belmont, NC) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 28012: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Gaston 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
1.7 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 1.8 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Gaston County compares with North Carolina
Gaston County against North Carolina and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Gaston County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Gaston County | North Carolina | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 73.6 | 61.3 | 49.7 | 1.2× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 1.8 | 2.5 | 3.4 | 28% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.70 | 0.66 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 3.0% | 2.6% | 2.3% | 1.2× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 1.1% | 1.7% | 6.2% | 38% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 25.0% | 24.0% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 13.3% | 10.5% | 13.8% | 1.3× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 40.0% | 41.0% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 22.8% | 20.4% | 24.8% | 1.1× the state |
Compared with North Carolina, Gaston County is lower on deaths per 100 crashes and on snow, slush or ice. Where it is higher: crashes per 100k residents / yr, garbage-truck share and in rain, sleet or snow.
The headline for ZIP 28012: I-85 deadliest road: 14 fatal truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 28012 since 2015.
Overview
Gaston County has recorded 2,086 truck crashes since 2015, with 1,440 people injured and 38 killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 2 days.
When crashes happen
March has the most truck crashes, 9.4% of the yearly total, while December has the fewest (7.2%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 40.0% of truck crashes, vs 41.0% for North Carolina.
By time of day, 3–4 pm stands out with 7.5% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 1.1% of truck crashes, compared with 1.7% in North Carolina.
Where crashes happen
Within this area, I-85 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (14). Next come I-77 (11), I-485 (6) and US-29 (5).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 61 of the truck crashes here, or 2.9%, compared with 2.6% in North Carolina.
The most garbage-truck crashes happen in November (18%).
Per 100 crashes, garbage trucks recorded 1.7 deaths compared with 1.8 for all trucks.
Route planning tips for ZIP 28012 fleets
- Plan March schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Gaston County.
- Look at alternatives to I-85 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- For residential and commercial waste routes, look again at November 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
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 Gaston County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-85 | 14 |
| I-77 | 11 |
| I-485 | 6 |
| US-29 | 5 |
| SR-16 | 3 |
| SR-273 | 2 |
| SR-49 | 2 |
| Steele Creek Rd | 2 |
| Brookshire Blvd | 1 |
| Brownstone Ct | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Gaston County) |
|---|---|
| N Chester St | 60 |
| E Franklin Blvd | 34 |
| W Franklin Blvd | 16 |
| S York Rd | 16 |
| Bessemer City Rd | 16 |
| Gastonia Dallas Hwy | 16 |
| N New Hope Rd | 15 |
| S New Hope Rd | 15 |
ZIP 28012 at a glance
| Population | 26,556 |
| Density | 376 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $83,391 |
| Median home value | $374,970 |
| Home ownership | 70% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Gaston 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 | 91 | — | 3.0 |
| 2000s | 118 | +30% | 2.4 |
| 2010s | 151 | +28% | 2.7 |
| 2020s | 178 | +18% | 3.0 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 91 to 178. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. NHTSA counts 3.8 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 28012
How many truck crashes happen in ZIP 28012?
Since 2015, 2,086 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Gaston County (1,440 injured, 38 killed).
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in ZIP 28012?
Since 2015, I-85 has had the most fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 28012: 14.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in ZIP 28012?
Truck crashes in Gaston County peak in March, with 9.4% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 28012?
61 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Gaston County since 2015, 2.9% of all truck crashes.
What is the truck crash rate in ZIP 28012 compared with North Carolina?
The yearly rate is 73.6 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in Gaston County, vs 61.3 for North Carolina.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in ZIP 28012?
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.