ZIP 29420 (North Charleston, SC) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 29420: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Dorchester 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
7.4 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 4.0 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Dorchester County compares with South Carolina
Dorchester County against South Carolina and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Dorchester County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Dorchester County | South Carolina | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 54.1 | 61.6 | 49.7 | 12% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 4.0 | 3.9 | 3.4 | same |
| Injuries per crash | 0.61 | 0.64 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.6% | 2.1% | 2.3% | 1.2× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 1.0% | 0.4% | 6.2% | 2.2× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 23.9% | 24.0% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 10.9% | 11.4% | 13.8% | same |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 42.4% | 40.5% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 23.2% | 21.5% | 24.8% | 1.1× the state |
Dorchester County sits below South Carolina on crashes per 100k residents / yr. It runs above South Carolina on garbage-truck share, on snow, slush or ice and after dark.
Dorchester County at a glance: 1.0% on snowy, slushy or icy roads, against 0.4% across South Carolina.
Overview
Dorchester County has recorded 1,097 truck crashes since 2015, with 659 people injured and 48 killed.
That averages about one truck crash every 4 days in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
The worst month is March with 9.7% of truck crashes; the quietest is June at 6.7%.
November through March accounts for 42.4% of truck crashes here, compared with 40.5% in South Carolina.
More truck crashes happen at 1–2 pm than at any other hour (9.1%).
1.0% of truck crashes here happened on snow, slush or ice, against 0.4% across South Carolina.
Where crashes happen
Within this area, I-26 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (9). It is followed by I-526 (4), SR-7 (4) and SR-642 (3).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 29 crashes, 2.6% of the total, against 2.1% across South Carolina.
Their busiest month is May, with 14% of garbage-truck crashes.
They recorded 7.4 deaths per 100 crashes, against 4.0 for all trucks.
Route planning tips for ZIP 29420 fleets
- Review driver schedules for March, the month with the most truck crashes.
- Look at alternatives to I-26 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- Garbage-truck crashes here peak in May; review collection routes for that month.
- 1.0% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice, above South Carolina; plan winter equipment checks before the season.
- 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 Dorchester County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-26 | 9 |
| I-526 | 4 |
| SR-7 | 4 |
| SR-642 | 3 |
| SR-75 | 2 |
| US-52 | 2 |
| US-78 | 2 |
| CR-PALMETTO Commerce | 1 |
| CR-PERIMETER Rd | 1 |
| SR-1342 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Dorchester County) |
|---|---|
| I-95 | 79 |
| I-26 | 60 |
| US-78 | 22 |
| Ashley Phosphate Rd | 15 |
| Orangeburg Rd | 12 |
| Dorchester Rd | 11 |
| Us 78 Hwy | 10 |
| Central Ave | 9 |
ZIP 29420 at a glance
| Population | 23,959 |
| Density | 922 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $72,661 |
| Median home value | $330,832 |
| Home ownership | 62% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Dorchester 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 | 52 | — | 1.7 |
| 2000s | 61 | +16% | 2.7 |
| 2010s | 76 | +25% | 2.4 |
| 2020s | 103 | +36% | 4.4 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 52 to 103. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 2.5 a year in 2016–19 and 4.4 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 29420
How many truck crashes happen in ZIP 29420?
Since 2015, 1,097 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Dorchester County (659 injured, 48 killed).
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in ZIP 29420?
NHTSA data shows I-26 with 9 fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 29420 since 2015, the highest of any road.
When do most truck crashes happen in ZIP 29420?
Truck crashes in Dorchester County peak in March, with 9.7% of the year's crashes.
Are garbage truck crashes common in ZIP 29420?
Garbage trucks were involved in 29 reported crashes in Dorchester County since 2015 (2.6% of truck crashes).
How does ZIP 29420 compare with South Carolina for truck crashes?
Per 100,000 residents, Dorchester County has 54.1 truck crashes a year; South Carolina has 61.6.
How can I plan a safer truck route in ZIP 29420?
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.