ZIP 46556 (Notre Dame, IN) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 46556: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in St. Joseph 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
0.0 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 2.8 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How St. Joseph County compares with Indiana
St. Joseph County against Indiana and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where St. Joseph County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | St. Joseph County | Indiana | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 52.4 | 80.8 | 49.7 | 35% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 2.8 | 2.9 | 3.4 | same |
| Injuries per crash | 0.34 | 0.36 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.5% | 2.4% | 2.3% | 1.1× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 22.3% | 10.6% | 6.2% | 2.1× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 25.6% | 22.4% | 23.7% | 1.1× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 21.1% | 17.4% | 13.8% | 1.2× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 48.8% | 42.7% | 41.9% | 1.1× the state |
| After dark | 30.5% | 32.0% | 24.8% | same |
St. Joseph County has lower values than Indiana for crashes per 100k residents / yr. It stands out for higher garbage-truck share, on snow, slush or ice and morning rush (6–10 am).
What stands out in St. Joseph County: 22.3% of truck crashes happened on snow, slush or ice, vs 10.6% in Indiana.
Overview
St. Joseph County has recorded 1,696 truck crashes since 2015, with 658 people injured and 44 killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 3 days.
When crashes happen
January has the most truck crashes, 15.3% of the yearly total, while May has the fewest (6.1%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 48.8% of truck crashes, vs 42.7% for Indiana.
By time of day, 11 am–12 pm stands out with 8.8% of truck crashes.
22.3% of truck crashes here happened on snow, slush or ice, against 10.6% across Indiana.
Where crashes happen
I-80 leads within 10 miles of ZIP 46556 with 8 fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015. After it: SR-2 (5), SR-51 (2) and US-12 (2).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 44 crashes, 2.6% of the total, against 2.4% across Indiana.
The most garbage-truck crashes happen in June (11%).
Deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes: 0.0, vs 2.8 for all truck crashes.
Route planning tips for ZIP 46556 fleets
- Build extra time into January routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Look at alternatives to I-80 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- For residential and commercial waste routes, look again at June schedules: garbage-truck crashes peak then.
- 25.6% of truck crashes happen between 6 and 10 am, above Indiana; consider earlier or later starts where possible.
- 22.3% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice, above Indiana; plan winter equipment checks before the season.
- Use the free Route Planner to score your route and spot low bridges before drivers head out.
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 St. Joseph County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-80 | 8 |
| SR-2 | 5 |
| SR-51 | 2 |
| US-12 | 2 |
| US-20 | 2 |
| US-20W | 2 |
| CR-RED Bud Trl | 1 |
| CR-REDFIELD St | 1 |
| Day Rd | 1 |
| Mayflower | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (St. Joseph County) |
|---|---|
| I-80 | 318 |
| US-20 | 122 |
| SR-2 | 75 |
| US-31 | 41 |
| SR-23 | 37 |
| SR-331 | 31 |
| St Joseph Valley Pkwy | 29 |
| SR-933 | 26 |
ZIP 46556 at a glance
| Population | 8,344 |
| Density | 1,956 per sq mi |
| Home ownership | 4% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in St. Joseph 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 | 58 | — | 3.1 |
| 2000s | 124 | +114% | 2.6 |
| 2010s | 139 | +12% | 3.1 |
| 2020s | 127 | -8% | 3.0 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 58 a year in the 1990s and 127 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 4.2 a year in 2016–19 and 3.0 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 46556
How many truck crashes happen in ZIP 46556?
1,696 truck crashes have been reported in St. Joseph County since 2015, with 44 deaths and 658 injuries.
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in ZIP 46556?
NHTSA data shows I-80 with 8 fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 46556 since 2015, the highest of any road.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in ZIP 46556?
Truck crashes in St. Joseph County peak in January, with 15.3% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 46556?
44 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in St. Joseph County since 2015, 2.6% of all truck crashes.
How does ZIP 46556 compare with Indiana for truck crashes?
St. Joseph County records 52.4 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 80.8 across Indiana.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in ZIP 46556?
The free Route Planner takes your stops and returns a route risk score, safer alternatives and low-bridge warnings.
2026 is a partial year. Updated October 2026.