ZIP 38128 (Memphis, TN) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 38128: 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.
What stands out in ZIP 38128: 1.7× yearly fatal truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 38128: 6.5 in 2016–19, 11.0 in 2020–24.
Overview
Police reported 5,377 crashes involving commercial trucks in Shelby County since 2015: 3,109 people were injured and 238 were killed.
That averages about 1 truck crash a day in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
May has the most truck crashes, 9.1% of the yearly total, while February has the fewest (7.4%).
November through March accounts for 40.8% of truck crashes here, compared with 40.5% in 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
Within this area, I-40 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (30). It is followed by I-240 (9), US-51 (7) and US-78 (6).
Garbage & waste trucks
139 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 2.6% share (Tennessee: 1.9%).
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 38128 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.
- Garbage-truck crashes here peak in August; review collection routes for that month.
- 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 | 30 |
| I-240 | 9 |
| US-51 | 7 |
| US-78 | 6 |
| US-64 | 5 |
| SR-14 | 3 |
| Mu-Sam Cooper Blvd | 2 |
| Berclair Rd | 1 |
| CR-WARD Rd | 1 |
| James Rd | 1 |
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 38128 at a glance
| Population | 42,162 |
| Density | 689 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $47,645 |
| Median home value | $137,480 |
| Home ownership | 42% |
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 |
In the 1990s about 24 truck crashes a year were reported; in the 2020s, about 424. Reporting coverage also changed between these periods. NHTSA counts 15.8 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 19.0 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 38128
How many truck accidents are there in ZIP 38128?
Since 2015, 5,377 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Shelby County (3,109 injured, 238 killed).
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in ZIP 38128?
Since 2015, I-40 has had the most fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 38128: 30.
Which month has the most truck crashes in ZIP 38128?
Truck crashes in Shelby County peak in May, with 9.1% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in ZIP 38128?
Since 2015, Shelby County has reported 139 garbage-truck crashes, or 2.6% of its truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in ZIP 38128 compare with Tennessee?
The yearly rate is 50.8 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in Shelby County, vs 60.1 for Tennessee.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in ZIP 38128?
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.