ZIP 50126 (Iowa Falls, IA) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 50126: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Hardin 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
4 of 183 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Hardin County compares with Iowa
Hardin County against Iowa and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Hardin County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Hardin County | Iowa | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 92.2 | 68.1 | 49.7 | 1.4× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 5.4 | 3.5 | 3.4 | 1.5× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.54 | 0.41 | 0.49 | 1.3× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 1.8% | 2.2% | 2.3% | 17% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 22.2% | 18.7% | 6.2% | 1.2× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 30.5% | 24.0% | 23.7% | 1.3× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 12.0% | 15.1% | 13.8% | 21% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 46.7% | 45.4% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 21.0% | 23.1% | 24.8% | 9% below the state |
Compared with Iowa, Hardin County is lower on garbage-truck share, in rain, sleet or snow and after dark. Where it is higher: crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and injuries per crash.
What stands out in Hardin County: 5.4 people killed per 100 truck crashes (Iowa: 3.5).
Overview
Police reported 183 crashes involving commercial trucks in Hardin County since 2015: 95 people were injured and 9 were killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 24 days.
When crashes happen
The worst month is January with 12.0% of truck crashes; the quietest is March at 4.9%.
The five winter months (November to March) hold 46.7% of truck crashes, against 45.4% across Iowa.
By time of day, 9–10 am stands out with 13.7% of truck crashes.
22.2% of truck crashes here happened on snow, slush or ice, against 18.7% across Iowa.
Where crashes happen
Roads with fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 50126 since 2015: CR-D15 (2), SR-359 (1) and US-20 (1). No single road stands out.
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 4 crashes, 2.2% of the total, against 2.2% across Iowa.
Route planning tips for ZIP 50126 fleets
- Plan January schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Hardin County.
- The morning rush (6–10 am) holds 30.5% of truck crashes here, more than Iowa; adjust start times where you can.
- 22.2% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice, above Iowa; plan winter equipment checks before the season.
- 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 Hardin County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| CR-D15 | 2 |
| SR-359 | 1 |
| US-20 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Hardin County) |
|---|---|
| US-20 | 27 |
| US-65 | 16 |
| County Highway S56 | 3 |
| County Highway D65 | 3 |
| State 175/Iowa 175 | 3 |
| S027/St Hwy 359 | 3 |
| S027/Co Hwy S27 | 3 |
| 240Th St | 2 |
ZIP 50126 at a glance
| Population | 6,368 |
| Density | 18 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $55,185 |
| Median home value | $140,598 |
| Home ownership | 64% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Hardin 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 | 3 | — | 0.3 |
| 2000s | 11 | +263% | 0.6 |
| 2010s | 16 | +43% | 0.6 |
| 2020s | 14 | -13% | 0.6 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 3 to 14. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 0.8 a year in 2016–19 and 0.6 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 50126
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 50126?
183 truck crashes have been reported in Hardin County since 2015, with 9 deaths and 95 injuries.
Which month has the most truck crashes in ZIP 50126?
Truck crashes in Hardin County peak in January, with 12.0% of the year's crashes.
Are garbage truck crashes common in ZIP 50126?
Garbage trucks were involved in 4 reported crashes in Hardin County since 2015 (2.2% of truck crashes).
What is the truck crash rate in ZIP 50126 compared with Iowa?
Hardin County records 92.2 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 68.1 across Iowa.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in ZIP 50126?
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.