ZIP 36581 (Sunflower, AL) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 36581: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Washington 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
3 of 224 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Washington County compares with Alabama
Washington County against Alabama and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Washington County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Washington County | Alabama | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 125.3 | 80.8 | 49.7 | 1.6× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 3.9 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 1.1× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.55 | 0.46 | 0.49 | 1.2× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 1.5% | 2.3% | 2.3% | 36% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 1.5% | 0.8% | 6.2% | 1.8× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 24.1% | 22.5% | 23.7% | 1.1× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 9.7% | 12.3% | 13.8% | 21% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 45.4% | 40.8% | 41.9% | 1.1× the state |
| After dark | 23.7% | 23.7% | 24.8% | same |
Washington County has lower values than Alabama for garbage-truck share and in rain, sleet or snow. It stands out for higher crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and injuries per crash.
Washington County at a glance: 1.5% on snowy, slushy or icy roads, against 0.8% across Alabama.
Overview
Police reported 224 crashes involving commercial trucks in Washington County since 2015: 124 people were injured and 8 were killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 19 days.
When crashes happen
February has the most truck crashes, 10.7% of the yearly total, while April has the fewest (4.5%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 45.4% of truck crashes, vs 40.8% for Alabama.
More truck crashes happen at 11 am–12 pm than at any other hour (10.7%).
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 1.5% of truck crashes, compared with 0.8% in Alabama.
Where crashes happen
Since 2015, fatal crashes with a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 36581 happened on US-43 (2), SR-56 (1) and Us-Sr 13 (1); no road leads clearly.
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 3 crashes, 1.3% of the total, against 2.3% across Alabama.
Route planning tips for ZIP 36581 fleets
- Review driver schedules for February, the month with the most truck crashes.
- The morning rush (6–10 am) holds 24.1% of truck crashes here, more than Alabama; adjust start times where you can.
- Icy and snowy roads show up in 1.5% of truck crashes here, more than Alabama; schedule winter checks early.
- Paste your stops into the free Route Planner to see the risk score, safer alternatives and low bridges.
About the data
Sources: the FMCSA crash file for all reported truck crashes and NHTSA FARS for fatal crashes with a large truck. Every statement here comes straight from those numbers.
Truck crashes by year: all trucks vs garbage trucks
Seasonality: when trucks crash in Washington County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| US-43 | 2 |
| SR-56 | 1 |
| Us-Sr 13 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Washington County) |
|---|---|
| US-43 | 79 |
| US-45 | 33 |
| Al-56 | 25 |
| Al-17 | 20 |
| Cr-34 | 10 |
| Paul Bayou Rd. | 6 |
| Paul Bayou Road | 4 |
| Healing Springs Ave | 3 |
ZIP 36581 at a glance
| Population | 161 |
| Density | 5 per sq mi |
| Home ownership | 65% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Washington 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 | 10 | — | 1.2 |
| 2000s | 12 | +20% | 0.6 |
| 2010s | 16 | +26% | 0.6 |
| 2020s | 18 | +16% | 0.8 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 10 a year in the 1990s and 18 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. NHTSA counts 0.5 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 0.8 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 36581
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 36581?
Since 2015, 224 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Washington County (124 injured, 8 killed).
What is the worst month for truck crashes in ZIP 36581?
February has the most truck crashes in Washington County, 10.7% of the yearly total.
Are garbage truck crashes common in ZIP 36581?
Garbage trucks were involved in 3 reported crashes in Washington County since 2015 (1.3% of truck crashes).
What is the truck crash rate in ZIP 36581 compared with Alabama?
The yearly rate is 125.3 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in Washington County, vs 80.8 for Alabama.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in ZIP 36581?
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.