ZIP 38141 (Memphis, TN) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 38141: 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. It stands out for higher deaths per 100 crashes, injuries per crash and garbage-truck share.
What stands out in ZIP 38141: US-78 deadliest road: 22 fatal truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 38141 since 2015.
Overview
Police reported 5,377 crashes involving commercial trucks in Shelby County since 2015: 3,109 people were injured and 238 were killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly 1 truck crash every day.
When crashes happen
May has the most truck crashes, 9.1% of the yearly total, while February has the fewest (7.4%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 40.8% of truck crashes, against 40.5% across Tennessee.
The busiest hour is 12–1 pm, with 7.0% of truck crashes.
1.2% of truck crashes here happened on snow, slush or ice, against 2.3% across Tennessee.
Where crashes happen
US-78 leads within 10 miles of ZIP 38141 with 22 fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015. After it: SR-175 (14), I-240 (10) and I-55 (5).
Garbage & waste trucks
139 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 2.6% share (Tennessee: 1.9%).
The most garbage-truck crashes happen in August (12%).
Deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes: 2.2, vs 4.5 for all truck crashes.
Route planning tips for ZIP 38141 fleets
- Build extra time into May routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Look at alternatives to US-78 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- Garbage-truck crashes here peak in August; review collection routes for that month.
- Check your own stops for crash hotspots and low bridges with the free Route Planner.
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 Shelby County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| US-78 | 22 |
| SR-175 | 14 |
| I-240 | 10 |
| I-55 | 5 |
| Winchester Rd | 3 |
| Airways Blvd | 2 |
| I-40 | 2 |
| Mu-E Raines Rd | 2 |
| Raines Rd | 2 |
| SR-176 | 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 38141 at a glance
| Population | 23,952 |
| Density | 1,184 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $60,817 |
| Median home value | $157,457 |
| Home ownership | 56% |
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 38141
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 38141?
Since 2015, 5,377 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Shelby County (3,109 injured, 238 killed).
What is the most dangerous road for trucks in ZIP 38141?
NHTSA data shows US-78 with 22 fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 38141 since 2015, the highest of any road.
When do most truck crashes happen in ZIP 38141?
May has the most truck crashes in Shelby County, 9.1% of the yearly total.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 38141?
Garbage trucks were involved in 139 reported crashes in Shelby County since 2015 (2.6% of truck crashes).
How do truck crashes in ZIP 38141 compare with Tennessee?
Per 100,000 residents, Shelby County has 50.8 truck crashes a year; Tennessee has 60.1.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in ZIP 38141?
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.