ZIP 35989 (Valley Head, AL) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 35989: 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). It runs above Alabama on deaths per 100 crashes, garbage-truck share and on snow, slush or ice.
DeKalb County at a glance: 6.4 people killed per 100 truck crashes (Alabama: 3.4).
Overview
DeKalb County has recorded 569 truck crashes since 2015, with 230 people injured and 36 killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 8 days.
When crashes happen
The worst month is September with 13.0% of truck crashes; the quietest is January at 5.8%.
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 35.7% of truck crashes, vs 40.8% for Alabama.
More truck crashes happen at 1–2 pm than at any other hour (7.7%).
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 0.9% of truck crashes, compared with 0.8% in Alabama.
Where crashes happen
I-59 leads within 10 miles of ZIP 35989 with 4 fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015. Next come SR-75 (2), SR-40 (1) and Sr-Gault Ave N (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
15 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 2.6% share (Alabama: 2.3%).
Route planning tips for ZIP 35989 fleets
- Plan September schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in DeKalb County.
- Look at alternatives to I-59 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- 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
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-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 35989 at a glance
| Population | 3,330 |
| Density | 22 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $43,580 |
| Median home value | $90,742 |
| Home ownership | 83% |
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 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 40 to 51. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. NHTSA counts 2.0 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 3.4 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 35989
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 35989?
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 35989?
Since 2015, I-59 has had the most fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 35989: 4.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in ZIP 35989?
September has the most truck crashes in DeKalb County, 13.0% of the yearly total.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 35989?
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 35989 compared with Alabama?
Per 100,000 residents, DeKalb County has 66.5 truck crashes a year; Alabama has 80.8.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in ZIP 35989?
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.