ZIP 46409 (Gary, IN) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 46409: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Lake 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
1.1 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 1.6 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Lake County compares with Indiana
Lake County against Indiana and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Lake County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Lake County | Indiana | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 117.4 | 80.8 | 49.7 | 1.5× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 1.6 | 2.9 | 3.4 | 45% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.35 | 0.36 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 1.4% | 2.4% | 2.3% | 40% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 12.4% | 10.6% | 6.2% | 1.2× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 20.1% | 22.4% | 23.7% | 10% below the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 16.9% | 17.4% | 13.8% | same |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 42.0% | 42.7% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 35.8% | 32.0% | 24.8% | 1.1× the state |
Compared with Indiana, Lake County is lower on deaths per 100 crashes, garbage-truck share and morning rush (6–10 am). It stands out for higher crashes per 100k residents / yr, on snow, slush or ice and after dark.
The headline for ZIP 46409: I-80 22 fatal truck crashes since 2015, more than any other road within 10 miles of ZIP 46409.
Overview
Lake County has recorded 6,927 truck crashes since 2015, with 2,451 people injured and 108 killed.
That averages about 2 truck crashes a day in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in January (9.8% of the year) and are lowest in April (6.5%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 42.0% of truck crashes, against 42.7% across Indiana.
The busiest hour is 12–1 am, with 9.0% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 12.4% of truck crashes, compared with 10.6% in Indiana.
Where crashes happen
I-80 leads within 10 miles of ZIP 46409 with 22 fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015. After it: I-94 (5), US-30 (5) and US-12 (4).
Garbage & waste trucks
94 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 1.4% share (Indiana: 2.4%).
Garbage-truck crashes peak in August (11% of them).
They recorded 1.1 deaths per 100 crashes, against 1.6 for all trucks.
Route planning tips for ZIP 46409 fleets
- Plan January schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Lake County.
- Check whether your routes use I-80, the road with the most fatal truck crashes in this area.
- Waste haulers: August is the peak month for garbage-truck crashes in Lake County.
- With 12.4% of truck crashes on snow, slush or ice (above Indiana), plan winter equipment checks early.
- Use the free Route Planner to score your route and spot low bridges before drivers head out.
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 Lake County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-80 | 22 |
| I-94 | 5 |
| US-30 | 5 |
| US-12 | 4 |
| Grant St | 3 |
| I-90 | 3 |
| I- 80 | 2 |
| I-65 | 2 |
| US-12W | 2 |
| US-20 | 2 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Lake County) |
|---|---|
| I-80 | 2,571 |
| I-65 | 1,116 |
| I-90 | 224 |
| US-41 | 101 |
| I-94 | 89 |
| US-30 | 85 |
| I-80E | 68 |
| US-41S | 57 |
ZIP 46409 at a glance
| Population | 7,184 |
| Density | 775 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $44,667 |
| Median home value | $68,367 |
| Home ownership | 44% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Lake 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 | 352 | — | 10.2 |
| 2000s | 554 | +58% | 8.7 |
| 2010s | 482 | -13% | 6.4 |
| 2020s | 647 | +34% | 8.8 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 352 a year in the 1990s and 647 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 6.2 a year in 2016–19 and 8.8 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 46409
How many truck crashes happen in ZIP 46409?
Lake County has had 6,927 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 2,451 people and killing 108.
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in ZIP 46409?
I-80 had 22 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 46409 since 2015, more than any other road.
When do most truck crashes happen in ZIP 46409?
January has the most truck crashes in Lake County, 9.8% of the yearly total.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 46409?
Since 2015, Lake County has reported 94 garbage-truck crashes, or 1.4% of its truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in ZIP 46409 compare with Indiana?
Per 100,000 residents, Lake County has 117.4 truck crashes a year; Indiana has 80.8.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in ZIP 46409?
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.