ZIP 28052 (Gastonia, NC) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 28052: 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. It stands out for higher crashes per 100k residents / yr, garbage-truck share and in rain, sleet or snow.
ZIP 28052 at a glance: I-85 most fatal truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 28052: 12 since 2015.
Overview
Police reported 2,086 crashes involving commercial trucks in Gaston County since 2015: 1,440 people were injured and 38 were killed.
That averages about one truck crash every 2 days in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
March has the most truck crashes, 9.4% of the yearly total, while December has the fewest (7.2%).
November through March accounts for 40.0% of truck crashes here, compared with 41.0% in North Carolina.
By time of day, 3–4 pm stands out with 7.5% of truck crashes.
1.1% of truck crashes here happened on snow, slush or ice, against 1.7% across North Carolina.
Where crashes happen
The deadliest road for trucks within 10 miles of ZIP 28052 is I-85, with 12 fatal large-truck crashes since 2015. Next come SR-161 (2), Brownstone Ct (1) and N Chester St (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
61 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 2.9% share (North Carolina: 2.6%).
Their busiest month is November, with 18% of garbage-truck crashes.
They recorded 1.7 deaths per 100 crashes, against 1.8 for all trucks.
Route planning tips for ZIP 28052 fleets
- Review driver schedules for March, the month with the most truck crashes.
- Check whether your routes use I-85, the road with the most fatal truck crashes in this area.
- Garbage-truck crashes here peak in November; review collection routes for that month.
- 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 | 12 |
| SR-161 | 2 |
| Brownstone Ct | 1 |
| N Chester St | 1 |
| SR-216 | 1 |
| SR-274 | 1 |
| SR-279 | 1 |
| SR-557 | 1 |
| SR-7 | 1 |
| Ssr-1109 Ferguson Ridge Rd | 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 28052 at a glance
| Population | 36,272 |
| Density | 338 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $49,643 |
| Median home value | $189,859 |
| Home ownership | 55% |
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 |
In the 1990s about 91 truck crashes a year were reported; in the 2020s, about 178. Reporting coverage also changed between these periods. Fatal large-truck crashes: 3.8 a year in 2016–19, 3.0 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 28052
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 28052?
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 28052?
Since 2015, I-85 has had the most fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 28052: 12.
Which month has the most truck crashes in ZIP 28052?
Truck crashes in Gaston County peak in March, with 9.4% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 28052?
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 28052 compared with North Carolina?
Per 100,000 residents, Gaston County has 73.6 truck crashes a year; North Carolina has 61.3.
How can I plan a safer truck route in ZIP 28052?
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.