ZIP 35601 (Decatur, AL) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 35601: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Morgan 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
2.9 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 2.1 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Morgan County compares with Alabama
Morgan County against Alabama and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Morgan County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Morgan County | Alabama | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 89.2 | 80.8 | 49.7 | 1.1× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 2.1 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 38% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.37 | 0.46 | 0.49 | 20% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.8% | 2.3% | 2.3% | 1.2× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 1.0% | 0.8% | 6.2% | 1.2× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 24.4% | 22.5% | 23.7% | 1.1× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 11.6% | 12.3% | 13.8% | same |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 39.0% | 40.8% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 20.3% | 23.7% | 24.8% | 14% below the state |
Morgan County has lower values than Alabama for deaths per 100 crashes, injuries per crash and after dark. It runs above Alabama on crashes per 100k residents / yr, garbage-truck share and on snow, slush or ice.
What stands out in ZIP 35601: I-65 6 fatal truck crashes since 2015, more than any other road within 10 miles of ZIP 35601.
Overview
Morgan County has recorded 1,313 truck crashes since 2015, with 492 people injured and 27 killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 3 days.
When crashes happen
The worst month is March with 10.1% of truck crashes; the quietest is February at 5.5%.
November through March accounts for 39.0% of truck crashes here, compared with 40.8% in Alabama.
More truck crashes happen at 3–4 pm than at any other hour (8.2%).
1.0% of truck crashes here happened on snow, slush or ice, against 0.8% across Alabama.
Where crashes happen
I-65 leads within 10 miles of ZIP 35601 with 6 fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015. It is followed by SR-67 (4), SR-20 (3) and SR-24 (2).
Garbage & waste trucks
35 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 2.7% share (Alabama: 2.3%).
The most garbage-truck crashes happen in May (20%).
They recorded 2.9 deaths per 100 crashes, against 2.1 for all trucks.
Route planning tips for ZIP 35601 fleets
- Build extra time into March routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Look at alternatives to I-65 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- Waste haulers: May is the peak month for garbage-truck crashes in Morgan County.
- The morning rush (6–10 am) holds 24.4% of truck crashes here, more than Alabama; adjust start times where you can.
- 1.0% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice, above Alabama; plan winter equipment checks before the season.
- 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 Morgan County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-65 | 6 |
| SR-67 | 4 |
| SR-20 | 3 |
| SR-24 | 2 |
| Us-Sr 3 | 2 |
| I-565 | 1 |
| US-31 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Morgan County) |
|---|---|
| I-65 | 289 |
| Al-67 | 195 |
| Al-20 | 155 |
| US-31 | 102 |
| Al-36 | 30 |
| SR-67 | 29 |
| SR-20 | 25 |
| Al Hwy 20 | 18 |
ZIP 35601 at a glance
| Population | 35,449 |
| Density | 517 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $51,429 |
| Median home value | $171,073 |
| Home ownership | 58% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Morgan 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 | 54 | — | 3.4 |
| 2000s | 84 | +57% | 3.5 |
| 2010s | 90 | +6% | 1.7 |
| 2020s | 115 | +28% | 2.8 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 54 to 115. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. Fatal large-truck crashes: 2.0 a year in 2016–19, 2.8 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 35601
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 35601?
1,313 truck crashes have been reported in Morgan County since 2015, with 27 deaths and 492 injuries.
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in ZIP 35601?
Since 2015, I-65 has had the most fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 35601: 6.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in ZIP 35601?
The worst month is March: 10.1% of truck crashes in Morgan County happen then.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 35601?
Since 2015, Morgan County has reported 35 garbage-truck crashes, or 2.7% of its truck crashes.
How does ZIP 35601 compare with Alabama for truck crashes?
Morgan County records 89.2 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 80.8 across Alabama.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in ZIP 35601?
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.