ZIP 38112 (Memphis, TN) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 38112: 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 |
Compared with Tennessee, Shelby County is lower on crashes per 100k residents / yr and on snow, slush or ice. Where it is higher: deaths per 100 crashes, injuries per crash and garbage-truck share.
ZIP 38112 at a glance: I-40 29 fatal truck crashes since 2015, more than any other road within 10 miles of ZIP 38112.
Overview
Shelby County has recorded 5,377 truck crashes since 2015, with 3,109 people injured and 238 killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly 1 truck crash every 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.
The busiest hour is 12–1 pm, with 7.0% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 1.2% of truck crashes, compared with 2.3% in Tennessee.
Where crashes happen
Within this area, I-40 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (29). After it: I-55 (19), US-78 (17) and I-240 (14).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 139 of the truck crashes here, or 2.6%, compared with 1.9% in Tennessee.
Garbage-truck crashes peak in August (12% of them).
Deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes: 2.2, vs 4.5 for all truck crashes.
Route planning tips for ZIP 38112 fleets
- Plan May schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Shelby County.
- Look at alternatives to I-40 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- For residential and commercial waste routes, look again at August schedules: garbage-truck crashes peak then.
- Paste your stops into the free Route Planner to see the risk score, safer alternatives and low bridges.
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 | 29 |
| I-55 | 19 |
| US-78 | 17 |
| I-240 | 14 |
| SR-175 | 13 |
| US-51 | 7 |
| US-64 | 5 |
| Airways Blvd | 2 |
| Mu-E Raines Rd | 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 38112 at a glance
| Population | 16,809 |
| Density | 1,350 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $55,207 |
| Median home value | $218,381 |
| Home ownership | 52% |
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 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 24 to 424. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 15.8 a year in 2016–19 and 19.0 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 38112
How many truck crashes happen in ZIP 38112?
Shelby County has had 5,377 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 3,109 people and killing 238.
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in ZIP 38112?
NHTSA data shows I-40 with 29 fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 38112 since 2015, the highest of any road.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in ZIP 38112?
The worst month is May: 9.1% of truck crashes in Shelby County happen then.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 38112?
Since 2015, Shelby County has reported 139 garbage-truck crashes, or 2.6% of its truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in ZIP 38112 compare with Tennessee?
Shelby County records 50.8 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 60.1 across Tennessee.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in ZIP 38112?
Paste your stops into the free CurbWaste Route Planner: it scores your route against fatal-crash locations, suggests safer alternatives and flags low bridges.
2026 is a partial year. Updated October 2026.