ZIP 49040 (Colon, MI) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 49040: 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
16 of 416 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How St. Joseph County compares with Michigan
St. Joseph County against Michigan 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 | Michigan | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 57.8 | 52.4 | 49.7 | 1.1× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 5.4 | 2.1 | 3.4 | 2.6× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.35 | 0.30 | 0.49 | 1.2× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 4.1% | 3.2% | 2.3% | 1.3× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 16.4% | 17.7% | 6.2% | 7% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 29.6% | 25.5% | 23.7% | 1.2× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 18.0% | 21.9% | 13.8% | 18% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 46.3% | 44.4% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 15.4% | 20.7% | 24.8% | 25% below the state |
St. Joseph County sits below Michigan on on snow, slush or ice, in rain, sleet or snow and after dark. It stands out for higher crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and injuries per crash.
What stands out in St. Joseph County: 5.4 deaths per 100 truck crashes, vs 2.1 in Michigan.
Overview
St. Joseph County has recorded 416 truck crashes since 2015, with 150 people injured and 26 killed.
That averages about one truck crash every 10 days in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
The worst month is December with 10.8% of truck crashes; the quietest is April at 6.5%.
The five winter months (November to March) hold 46.3% of truck crashes, against 44.4% across Michigan.
The busiest hour is 8–9 am, with 10.6% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 16.4% of truck crashes, compared with 17.7% in Michigan.
Where crashes happen
Within this area, SR-86 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (2). Next come SR-60 (1), SR-66 (1) and US-12 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 16 of the truck crashes here, or 3.8%, compared with 3.2% in Michigan.
Route planning tips for ZIP 49040 fleets
- Plan December schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in St. Joseph County.
- Check whether your routes use SR-86, the road with the most fatal truck crashes in this area.
- The morning rush (6–10 am) holds 29.6% of truck crashes here, more than Michigan; adjust start times where you can.
- Paste your stops into the free Route Planner to see the risk score, safer alternatives and low bridges.
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 St. Joseph County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| SR-86 | 2 |
| SR-60 | 1 |
| SR-66 | 1 |
| US-12 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (St. Joseph County) |
|---|---|
| US-131 | 78 |
| US-12 | 51 |
| N Us 131 | 22 |
| S Us 131 | 15 |
| Main | 15 |
| Michigan | 14 |
| Lutz | 11 |
| Centerville | 11 |
ZIP 49040 at a glance
| Population | 3,384 |
| Density | 32 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $64,306 |
| Median home value | $170,976 |
| Home ownership | 81% |
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 | 17 | — | 2.6 |
| 2000s | 32 | +86% | 1.3 |
| 2010s | 26 | -19% | 1.7 |
| 2020s | 39 | +51% | 1.8 |
In the 1990s about 17 truck crashes a year were reported; in the 2020s, about 39. Reporting coverage also changed between these periods. Fatal large-truck crashes: 1.8 a year in 2016–19, 1.8 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 49040
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 49040?
416 truck crashes have been reported in St. Joseph County since 2015, with 26 deaths and 150 injuries.
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in ZIP 49040?
Since 2015, SR-86 has had the most fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 49040: 2.
Which month has the most truck crashes in ZIP 49040?
December has the most truck crashes in St. Joseph County, 10.8% of the yearly total.
Are garbage truck crashes common in ZIP 49040?
16 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in St. Joseph County since 2015, 3.8% of all truck crashes.
How does ZIP 49040 compare with Michigan for truck crashes?
The yearly rate is 57.8 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in St. Joseph County, vs 52.4 for Michigan.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in ZIP 49040?
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.