ZIP 46628 (South Bend, IN) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 46628: 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 |
Compared with Indiana, St. Joseph County is lower on crashes per 100k residents / yr. It stands out for higher garbage-truck share, on snow, slush or ice and morning rush (6–10 am).
The headline for St. Joseph County: 22.3% on snowy, slushy or icy roads, against 10.6% across Indiana.
Overview
Since 2015, 1,696 crashes involving commercial trucks have been reported in St. Joseph County. They injured 658 people and killed 44.
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.
Road surface: 22.3% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (Indiana: 10.6%).
Where crashes happen
Roads with fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 46628 since 2015: I-80 (6), SR-2 (6), US-12 (5), SR-51 (2) and US-20 (2). No single road stands out.
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 44 crashes, 2.6% of the total, against 2.4% across Indiana.
Their busiest month is June, with 11% of garbage-truck crashes.
Per 100 crashes, garbage trucks recorded 0.0 deaths compared with 2.8 for all trucks.
Route planning tips for ZIP 46628 fleets
- Build extra time into January routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Garbage-truck crashes here peak in June; review collection routes for that month.
- The morning rush (6–10 am) holds 25.6% of truck crashes here, more than Indiana; adjust start times where you can.
- With 22.3% of truck crashes on snow, slush or ice (above Indiana), plan winter equipment checks early.
- Check your own stops for crash hotspots and low bridges with the free Route Planner.
About the data
Crash counts come from the FMCSA crash file (police-reported crashes involving trucks over 10,000 lb); fatal-crash locations come from NHTSA FARS. Text on this page states only what these numbers show.
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 | 6 |
| SR-2 | 6 |
| US-12 | 5 |
| SR-51 | 2 |
| US-20 | 2 |
| US-20W | 2 |
| CR-RANGELINE Rd | 1 |
| CR-RED Bud Trl | 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 46628 at a glance
| Population | 27,685 |
| Density | 313 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $61,759 |
| Median home value | $176,690 |
| Home ownership | 68% |
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 |
In the 1990s about 58 truck crashes a year were reported; in the 2020s, about 127. Reporting coverage also changed between these periods. 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 46628
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 46628?
St. Joseph County has had 1,696 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 658 people and killing 44.
When do most truck crashes happen in ZIP 46628?
January has the most truck crashes in St. Joseph County, 15.3% of the yearly total.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 46628?
44 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in St. Joseph County since 2015, 2.6% of all truck crashes.
What is the truck crash rate in ZIP 46628 compared with Indiana?
Per 100,000 residents, St. Joseph County has 52.4 truck crashes a year; Indiana has 80.8.
How can I plan a safer truck route in ZIP 46628?
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.