ZIP 50072 (Earlham, IA) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 50072: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Madison 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
5 of 77 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Madison County compares with Iowa
Madison County against Iowa and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Madison County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Madison County | Iowa | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 38.1 | 68.1 | 49.7 | 44% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 4.2 | 3.5 | 3.4 | 1.2× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.24 | 0.41 | 0.49 | 41% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 6.9% | 2.2% | 2.3% | 3.2× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 27.8% | 18.7% | 6.2% | 1.5× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 30.6% | 24.0% | 23.7% | 1.3× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 19.4% | 15.1% | 13.8% | 1.3× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 40.3% | 45.4% | 41.9% | 11% below the state |
| After dark | 11.1% | 23.1% | 24.8% | 52% below the state |
Madison County sits below Iowa on crashes per 100k residents / yr, injuries per crash and winter months (nov–mar). Where it is higher: deaths per 100 crashes, garbage-truck share and on snow, slush or ice.
Madison County at a glance: 1 in 14 garbage-truck share of crashes is 6.9%, against 2.2% for Iowa.
Overview
Police reported 77 crashes involving commercial trucks in Madison County since 2015: 18 people were injured and 3 were killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 56 days.
When crashes happen
October has the most truck crashes, 15.6% of the yearly total, while June has the fewest (2.6%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 40.3% of truck crashes, vs 45.4% for Iowa.
More truck crashes happen at 1–2 pm than at any other hour (15.6%).
Road surface: 27.8% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (Iowa: 18.7%).
Where crashes happen
Within this area, I-80 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (7).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 5 crashes, 6.5% of the total, against 2.2% across Iowa.
Route planning tips for ZIP 50072 fleets
- Review driver schedules for October, the month with the most truck crashes.
- Where you can, review stops along I-80; it has the most fatal large-truck crashes nearby.
- Morning starts matter: 30.6% of truck crashes fall between 6 and 10 am, higher than Iowa.
- With 27.8% of truck crashes on snow, slush or ice (above Iowa), plan winter equipment checks early.
- 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 Madison County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-80 | 7 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Madison County) |
|---|---|
| US-169 | 6 |
| G04R/Cumming Rd | 3 |
| 105Th St | 2 |
| Ia 92 | 2 |
| Ivy Ave (1000 Blk) | 2 |
| 130Th St And Cottonwood Ave | 1 |
| 1689 260Th St | 1 |
| 220Th St | 1 |
ZIP 50072 at a glance
| Population | 2,979 |
| Density | 13 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $111,250 |
| Median home value | $305,933 |
| Home ownership | 86% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Madison 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 | 1 | — | 0.4 |
| 2000s | 6 | +457% | 0.1 |
| 2010s | 7 | +2% | 0.3 |
| 2020s | 7 | +4% | 0.2 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 1 a year in the 1990s and 7 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal large-truck crashes: 0.5 a year in 2016–19, 0.2 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 50072
How many truck crashes happen in ZIP 50072?
Since 2015, 77 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Madison County (18 injured, 3 killed).
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in ZIP 50072?
NHTSA data shows I-80 with 7 fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 50072 since 2015, the highest of any road.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in ZIP 50072?
The worst month is October: 15.6% of truck crashes in Madison County happen then.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in ZIP 50072?
Since 2015, Madison County has reported 5 garbage-truck crashes, or 6.5% of its truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in ZIP 50072 compare with Iowa?
Madison County records 38.1 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 68.1 across Iowa.
How can I plan a safer truck route in ZIP 50072?
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.