ZIP 35978 (Henagar, AL) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 35978: 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 sits below Alabama on crashes per 100k residents / yr, injuries per crash and morning rush (6–10 am). It stands out for higher deaths per 100 crashes, garbage-truck share and on snow, slush or ice.
The headline for DeKalb County: 6.4 people killed per 100 truck crashes (Alabama: 3.4).
Overview
Since 2015, 569 crashes involving commercial trucks have been reported in DeKalb County. They injured 230 people and killed 36.
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.
The busiest hour is 1–2 pm, 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, I-59 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (4). It is followed by SR-75 (2), SR-40 (1) and SR-71 (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 35978 fleets
- Build extra time into September routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Where you can, review stops along I-59; it has the most fatal large-truck crashes nearby.
- 0.9% 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
Crash counts come from the FMCSA crash file (police-reported crashes involving trucks over 10,000 lb); fatal-crash locations come from NHTSA FARS. Text on this page states only what these numbers show.
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) |
|---|---|
| I-59 | 4 |
| SR-75 | 2 |
| SR-40 | 1 |
| SR-71 | 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 35978 at a glance
| Population | 5,580 |
| Density | 31 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $55,509 |
| Median home value | $133,160 |
| Home ownership | 78% |
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 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 40 a year in the 1990s and 51 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. 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 35978
How many truck crashes happen in ZIP 35978?
569 truck crashes have been reported in DeKalb County since 2015, with 36 deaths and 230 injuries.
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in ZIP 35978?
Since 2015, I-59 has had the most fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 35978: 4.
When do most truck crashes happen in ZIP 35978?
September has the most truck crashes in DeKalb County, 13.0% of the yearly total.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 35978?
Since 2015, DeKalb County has reported 15 garbage-truck crashes, or 2.6% of its truck crashes.
What is the truck crash rate in ZIP 35978 compared with Alabama?
Per 100,000 residents, DeKalb County has 66.5 truck crashes a year; Alabama has 80.8.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in ZIP 35978?
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.