ZIP 43081 (Westerville, OH) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 43081: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Franklin 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
0.8 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 2.1 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Franklin County compares with Ohio
Franklin County against Ohio and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Franklin County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Franklin County | Ohio | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 41.7 | 50.8 | 49.7 | 18% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 2.1 | 3.1 | 3.4 | 32% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.52 | 0.50 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.1% | 2.5% | 2.3% | 17% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 3.7% | 7.8% | 6.2% | 52% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 21.6% | 21.4% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 17.9% | 18.9% | 13.8% | same |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 39.1% | 42.3% | 41.9% | 8% below the state |
| After dark | 25.7% | 25.8% | 24.8% | same |
Franklin County sits below Ohio on crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and garbage-truck share.
The headline for Franklin County: August is the peak month for garbage-truck crashes: 17% of them.
Overview
Police reported 6,716 crashes involving commercial trucks in Franklin County since 2015: 3,466 people were injured and 140 were killed.
That averages about 2 truck crashes a day in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
The worst month is September with 9.6% of truck crashes; the quietest is March at 7.2%.
November through March accounts for 39.1% of truck crashes here, compared with 42.3% in Ohio.
The busiest hour is 12–1 am, with 8.5% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 3.7% of truck crashes, compared with 7.8% in Ohio.
Where crashes happen
I-71 leads within 10 miles of ZIP 43081 with 8 fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015. Next come US-23 (6), I-270 (5) and SR-16 (3).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 141 crashes, 2.1% of the total, against 2.5% across Ohio.
Garbage-truck crashes peak in August (17% of them).
Deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes: 0.8, vs 2.1 for all truck crashes.
Route planning tips for ZIP 43081 fleets
- Plan September schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Franklin County.
- Check whether your routes use I-71, the road with the most fatal truck crashes in this area.
- Waste haulers: August is the peak month for garbage-truck crashes in Franklin County.
- 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 Franklin County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-71 | 8 |
| US-23 | 6 |
| I-270 | 5 |
| SR-16 | 3 |
| CR-75 Cleveland Ave | 2 |
| SR-3 | 2 |
| CR-162 Worthington Rd | 1 |
| CR-30 Sunbury Rd | 1 |
| CR-8 Sunbury Rd | 1 |
| E 5th Ave | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Franklin County) |
|---|---|
| Ir 270 | 1,250 |
| Ir 70 | 1,125 |
| Ir 71 | 953 |
| Ir 670 | 187 |
| US-33 | 151 |
| SR-315 | 122 |
| Alum Creek Dr | 108 |
| US-23 | 104 |
ZIP 43081 at a glance
| Population | 65,020 |
| Density | 1,000 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $92,422 |
| Median home value | $329,602 |
| Home ownership | 59% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Franklin 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 | 39 | — | 8.9 |
| 2000s | 334 | +751% | 8.0 |
| 2010s | 555 | +66% | 7.8 |
| 2020s | 492 | -11% | 10.0 |
In the 1990s about 39 truck crashes a year were reported; in the 2020s, about 492. Reporting coverage also changed between these periods. NHTSA counts 8.8 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 10.0 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 43081
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 43081?
6,716 truck crashes have been reported in Franklin County since 2015, with 140 deaths and 3,466 injuries.
What is the most dangerous road for trucks in ZIP 43081?
I-71 had 8 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 43081 since 2015, more than any other road.
When do most truck crashes happen in ZIP 43081?
Truck crashes in Franklin County peak in September, with 9.6% of the year's crashes.
Are garbage truck crashes common in ZIP 43081?
Garbage trucks were involved in 141 reported crashes in Franklin County since 2015 (2.1% of truck crashes).
How does ZIP 43081 compare with Ohio for truck crashes?
Per 100,000 residents, Franklin County has 41.7 truck crashes a year; Ohio has 50.8.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in ZIP 43081?
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.