ZIP 35218 (Birmingham, AL) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 35218: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Jefferson 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
2.3 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 2.1 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Jefferson County compares with Alabama
Jefferson County against Alabama and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Jefferson County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Jefferson County | Alabama | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 81.9 | 80.8 | 49.7 | same |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 2.1 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 38% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.40 | 0.46 | 0.49 | 13% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.9% | 2.3% | 2.3% | 1.3× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 0.8% | 0.8% | 6.2% | same |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 23.3% | 22.5% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 14.5% | 12.3% | 13.8% | 1.2× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 41.4% | 40.8% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 23.8% | 23.7% | 24.8% | same |
Jefferson County sits below Alabama on deaths per 100 crashes and injuries per crash. Where it is higher: garbage-truck share and in rain, sleet or snow.
The headline for ZIP 35218: I-59 12 fatal truck crashes since 2015, more than any other road within 10 miles of ZIP 35218.
Overview
Since 2015, 6,305 crashes involving commercial trucks have been reported in Jefferson County. They injured 2,535 people and killed 141.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly 1 truck crash every day.
When crashes happen
March has the most truck crashes, 9.2% of the yearly total, while February has the fewest (7.3%).
November through March accounts for 41.4% of truck crashes here, compared with 40.8% in Alabama.
The busiest hour is 2–3 pm, with 6.8% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 0.8% of truck crashes, compared with 0.8% in Alabama.
Where crashes happen
Within this area, I-59 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (12). Next come I-65 (8), I-20 (3) and I-22 (3).
Garbage & waste trucks
185 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 2.9% share (Alabama: 2.3%).
Their busiest month is August, with 13% of garbage-truck crashes.
Deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes: 2.3, vs 2.1 for all truck crashes.
Route planning tips for ZIP 35218 fleets
- Plan March schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Jefferson County.
- Look at alternatives to I-59 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- Waste haulers: August is the peak month for garbage-truck crashes in Jefferson County.
- 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 Jefferson County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-59 | 12 |
| I-65 | 8 |
| I-20 | 3 |
| I-22 | 3 |
| SR-5 | 3 |
| I-459 | 2 |
| SR-79 | 2 |
| University Blvd | 2 |
| 1st Ave N | 1 |
| 24th St N | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Jefferson County) |
|---|---|
| I-59 | 1,303 |
| I-65 | 1,128 |
| I-459 | 596 |
| I-20 | 495 |
| US-280 | 124 |
| I-22 | 115 |
| US-78 | 74 |
| US-31 | 52 |
ZIP 35218 at a glance
| Population | 6,981 |
| Density | 1,027 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $30,739 |
| Median home value | $94,228 |
| Home ownership | 36% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Jefferson 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 | 168 | — | 10.0 |
| 2000s | 360 | +114% | 11.5 |
| 2010s | 486 | +35% | 8.7 |
| 2020s | 484 | -0% | 10.6 |
In the 1990s about 168 truck crashes a year were reported; in the 2020s, about 484. Reporting coverage also changed between these periods. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 6.8 a year in 2016–19 and 10.6 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 35218
How many truck crashes happen in ZIP 35218?
Since 2015, 6,305 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Jefferson County (2,535 injured, 141 killed).
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in ZIP 35218?
NHTSA data shows I-59 with 12 fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 35218 since 2015, the highest of any road.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in ZIP 35218?
Truck crashes in Jefferson County peak in March, with 9.2% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in ZIP 35218?
Since 2015, Jefferson County has reported 185 garbage-truck crashes, or 2.9% of its truck crashes.
How does ZIP 35218 compare with Alabama for truck crashes?
Jefferson County records 81.9 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 80.8 across Alabama.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in ZIP 35218?
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.