ZIP 35968 (Fort Payne, AL) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 35968: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in DeKalb 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
15 of 569 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How DeKalb County compares with Alabama
DeKalb County against Alabama and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where DeKalb County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | DeKalb County | Alabama | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 66.5 | 80.8 | 49.7 | 18% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 6.4 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 1.9× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.40 | 0.46 | 0.49 | 13% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.6% | 2.3% | 2.3% | 1.2× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 0.9% | 0.8% | 6.2% | 1.2× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 18.7% | 22.5% | 23.7% | 17% below the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 9.7% | 12.3% | 13.8% | 21% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 35.7% | 40.8% | 41.9% | 12% below the state |
| After dark | 27.7% | 23.7% | 24.8% | 1.2× the state |
DeKalb County has lower values than Alabama for crashes per 100k residents / yr, injuries per crash and morning rush (6–10 am). Where it is higher: deaths per 100 crashes, garbage-truck share and on snow, slush or ice.
What stands out in DeKalb County: 6.4 people killed per 100 truck crashes (Alabama: 3.4).
Overview
Police reported 569 crashes involving commercial trucks in DeKalb County since 2015: 230 people were injured and 36 were killed.
That averages about one truck crash every 8 days in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
The worst month is September with 13.0% of truck crashes; the quietest is January at 5.8%.
November through March accounts for 35.7% of truck crashes here, compared with 40.8% in Alabama.
By time of day, 1–2 pm stands out with 7.7% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 0.9% of truck crashes, compared with 0.8% in Alabama.
Where crashes happen
Within this area, SR-35 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (5). It is followed by I-59 (2), Mccurdy Ave S (1) and SR-40 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 15 of the truck crashes here, or 2.6%, compared with 2.3% in Alabama.
Route planning tips for ZIP 35968 fleets
- Review driver schedules for September, the month with the most truck crashes.
- Check whether your routes use SR-35, the road with the most fatal truck crashes in this area.
- Icy and snowy roads show up in 0.9% of truck crashes here, more than Alabama; schedule winter checks early.
- 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 DeKalb County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| SR-35 | 5 |
| I-59 | 2 |
| Mccurdy Ave S | 1 |
| SR-40 | 1 |
| Sr-Gault Ave N | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (DeKalb County) |
|---|---|
| I-59 | 202 |
| Al-68 | 52 |
| Al-75 | 41 |
| Al-117 | 37 |
| Al-35 | 26 |
| US-11 | 10 |
| Main Street East | 8 |
| Wallace Av Ne | 8 |
ZIP 35968 at a glance
| Population | 4,763 |
| Density | 29 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $43,539 |
| Median home value | $134,634 |
| Home ownership | 85% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in DeKalb 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 | 40 | — | 2.5 |
| 2000s | 47 | +18% | 2.4 |
| 2010s | 46 | -3% | 1.5 |
| 2020s | 51 | +10% | 3.4 |
In the 1990s about 40 truck crashes a year were reported; in the 2020s, about 51. Reporting coverage also changed between these periods. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 2.0 a year in 2016–19 and 3.4 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 35968
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 35968?
569 truck crashes have been reported in DeKalb County since 2015, with 36 deaths and 230 injuries.
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in ZIP 35968?
Since 2015, SR-35 has had the most fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 35968: 5.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in ZIP 35968?
Truck crashes in DeKalb County peak in September, with 13.0% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 35968?
Garbage trucks were involved in 15 reported crashes in DeKalb County since 2015 (2.6% of truck crashes).
How does ZIP 35968 compare with Alabama for truck crashes?
The yearly rate is 66.5 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in DeKalb County, vs 80.8 for Alabama.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in ZIP 35968?
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.