ZIP 38106 (Memphis, TN) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 38106: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Shelby 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
2.2 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 4.5 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Shelby County compares with Tennessee
Shelby County against Tennessee and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Shelby County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Shelby County | Tennessee | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 50.8 | 60.1 | 49.7 | 15% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 4.5 | 3.9 | 3.4 | 1.2× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.58 | 0.48 | 0.49 | 1.2× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.7% | 1.9% | 2.3% | 1.4× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 1.2% | 2.3% | 6.2% | 48% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 21.7% | 21.8% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 15.6% | 14.9% | 13.8% | same |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 40.8% | 40.5% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 25.0% | 25.9% | 24.8% | same |
Shelby County sits below Tennessee on crashes per 100k residents / yr and on snow, slush or ice. It stands out for higher deaths per 100 crashes, injuries per crash and garbage-truck share.
ZIP 38106 at a glance: I-40 21 fatal truck crashes since 2015, more than any other road within 10 miles of ZIP 38106.
Overview
Shelby County has recorded 5,377 truck crashes since 2015, with 3,109 people injured and 238 killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about 1 truck crash a day.
When crashes happen
The worst month is May with 9.1% of truck crashes; the quietest is February at 7.4%.
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 40.8% of truck crashes, vs 40.5% for Tennessee.
More truck crashes happen at 12–1 pm than at any other hour (7.0%).
Road surface: 1.2% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (Tennessee: 2.3%).
Where crashes happen
I-40 leads within 10 miles of ZIP 38106 with 21 fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015. Next come I-55 (20), US-78 (17) and I-240 (14).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 139 crashes, 2.6% of the total, against 1.9% across Tennessee.
Garbage-truck crashes peak in August (12% of them).
They recorded 2.2 deaths per 100 crashes, against 4.5 for all trucks.
Route planning tips for ZIP 38106 fleets
- Review driver schedules for May, the month with the most truck crashes.
- Where you can, review stops along I-40; it has the most fatal large-truck crashes nearby.
- For residential and commercial waste routes, look again at August schedules: garbage-truck crashes peak then.
- 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 Shelby County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-40 | 21 |
| I-55 | 20 |
| US-78 | 17 |
| I-240 | 14 |
| SR-175 | 13 |
| US-51 | 6 |
| US-64 | 5 |
| US-61 | 4 |
| Airways Blvd | 2 |
| Mu-Sam Cooper Blvd | 2 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Shelby County) |
|---|---|
| I-40 | 813 |
| I-240 | 407 |
| Lamar Ave | 331 |
| I-55 | 267 |
| E Shelby Dr | 234 |
| Winchester Rd | 111 |
| Getwell Rd | 61 |
| Shelby Dr | 61 |
ZIP 38106 at a glance
| Population | 20,962 |
| Density | 778 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $30,232 |
| Median home value | $73,177 |
| Home ownership | 39% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Shelby 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 | 24 | — | 13.2 |
| 2000s | 384 | +1525% | 10.0 |
| 2010s | 510 | +33% | 11.1 |
| 2020s | 424 | -17% | 19.0 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 24 a year in the 1990s and 424 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal large-truck crashes: 15.8 a year in 2016–19, 19.0 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 38106
How many truck crashes happen in ZIP 38106?
Since 2015, 5,377 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Shelby County (3,109 injured, 238 killed).
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in ZIP 38106?
NHTSA data shows I-40 with 21 fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 38106 since 2015, the highest of any road.
When do most truck crashes happen in ZIP 38106?
The worst month is May: 9.1% of truck crashes in Shelby County happen then.
Are garbage truck crashes common in ZIP 38106?
139 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Shelby County since 2015, 2.6% of all truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in ZIP 38106 compare with Tennessee?
Per 100,000 residents, Shelby County has 50.8 truck crashes a year; Tennessee has 60.1.
How can I plan a safer truck route in ZIP 38106?
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.