ZIP 35124 (Pelham, AL) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 35124: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Shelby 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
0.0 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 2.1 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Shelby County compares with Alabama
Shelby County against Alabama and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Shelby County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Shelby County | Alabama | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 53.6 | 80.8 | 49.7 | 34% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 2.1 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 38% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.39 | 0.46 | 0.49 | 15% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.6% | 2.3% | 2.3% | 1.1× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 0.6% | 0.8% | 6.2% | 29% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 24.2% | 22.5% | 23.7% | 1.1× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 11.8% | 12.3% | 13.8% | same |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 38.7% | 40.8% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 18.0% | 23.7% | 24.8% | 24% below the state |
Compared with Alabama, Shelby County is lower on crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and injuries per crash. Where it is higher: garbage-truck share and morning rush (6–10 am).
What stands out in ZIP 35124: I-65 most fatal truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 35124: 5 since 2015.
Overview
Since 2015, 1,467 crashes involving commercial trucks have been reported in Shelby County. They injured 576 people and killed 30.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 3 days.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in October (9.5% of the year) and are lowest in December (6.5%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 38.7% of truck crashes, against 40.8% across Alabama.
The busiest hour is 12–1 pm, with 8.0% of truck crashes.
Road surface: 0.6% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (Alabama: 0.8%).
Where crashes happen
Within this area, I-65 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (5). Next come I-459 (4), Us-Sr 38 (3) and CR-11 (2).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 40 crashes, 2.7% of the total, against 2.3% across Alabama.
Their busiest month is April, with 12% of garbage-truck crashes.
They recorded 0.0 deaths per 100 crashes, against 2.1 for all trucks.
Route planning tips for ZIP 35124 fleets
- Plan October schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Shelby County.
- Where you can, review stops along I-65; it has the most fatal large-truck crashes nearby.
- For residential and commercial waste routes, look again at April schedules: garbage-truck crashes peak then.
- The morning rush (6–10 am) holds 24.2% of truck crashes here, more than Alabama; adjust start times where you can.
- 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 Shelby County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-65 | 5 |
| I-459 | 4 |
| Us-Sr 38 | 3 |
| CR-11 | 2 |
| US-280 | 2 |
| CR-DUNNAVANT Valley Rd | 1 |
| US-31 | 1 |
| West Oxmoor | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Shelby County) |
|---|---|
| I-65 | 490 |
| US-280 | 206 |
| US-31 | 101 |
| Al-25 | 93 |
| Pelham Parkway | 43 |
| Al-119 | 30 |
| Al-70 | 18 |
| Cahaba Valley Road | 17 |
ZIP 35124 at a glance
| Population | 25,238 |
| Density | 228 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $99,726 |
| Median home value | $308,097 |
| Home ownership | 84% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Shelby 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 | 53 | — | 4.0 |
| 2000s | 100 | +90% | 2.9 |
| 2010s | 117 | +17% | 1.9 |
| 2020s | 118 | +1% | 2.0 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 53 a year in the 1990s and 118 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. NHTSA counts 2.8 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 2.0 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 35124
How many truck crashes happen in ZIP 35124?
Shelby County has had 1,467 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 576 people and killing 30.
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in ZIP 35124?
I-65 had 5 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 35124 since 2015, more than any other road.
When do most truck crashes happen in ZIP 35124?
October has the most truck crashes in Shelby County, 9.5% of the yearly total.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 35124?
Garbage trucks were involved in 40 reported crashes in Shelby County since 2015 (2.7% of truck crashes).
How does ZIP 35124 compare with Alabama for truck crashes?
Shelby County records 53.6 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 80.8 across Alabama.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in ZIP 35124?
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.