ZIP 50144 (Leon, IA) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 50144: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Decatur 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
3 of 143 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Decatur County compares with Iowa
Decatur County against Iowa and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Decatur County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Decatur County | Iowa | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 163.9 | 68.1 | 49.7 | 2.4× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 8.0 | 3.5 | 3.4 | 2.3× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.57 | 0.41 | 0.49 | 1.4× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.2% | 2.2% | 2.3% | same |
| On snow, slush or ice | 17.4% | 18.7% | 6.2% | same |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 20.3% | 24.0% | 23.7% | 16% below the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 15.2% | 15.1% | 13.8% | same |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 57.2% | 45.4% | 41.9% | 1.3× the state |
| After dark | 40.6% | 23.1% | 24.8% | 1.8× the state |
Decatur County has lower values than Iowa for morning rush (6–10 am). It stands out for higher crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and injuries per crash.
The headline for Decatur County: 8.0 deaths for every 100 truck crashes, against 3.5 across Iowa.
Overview
Decatur County has recorded 143 truck crashes since 2015, with 84 people injured and 11 killed.
That averages about one truck crash every 29 days in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in January (16.8% of the year) and are lowest in April (3.5%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 57.2% of truck crashes, vs 45.4% for Iowa.
By time of day, 1–2 pm stands out with 7.7% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 17.4% of truck crashes, compared with 18.7% in Iowa.
Where crashes happen
The deadliest road for trucks within 10 miles of ZIP 50144 is I-35, with 3 fatal large-truck crashes since 2015. Next come SR-2 (1) and US-69 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 3 crashes, 2.1% of the total, against 2.2% across Iowa.
Route planning tips for ZIP 50144 fleets
- Review driver schedules for January, the month with the most truck crashes.
- Check whether your routes use I-35, the road with the most fatal truck crashes in this area.
- Check your own stops for crash hotspots and low bridges with the free Route Planner.
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 Decatur County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-35 | 3 |
| SR-2 | 1 |
| US-69 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Decatur County) |
|---|---|
| I-35 | 11 |
| I35Sb At The 24Mm | 3 |
| I 35 Sb @ 19.30 Mile Marker | 3 |
| Hwy 2 W.B. @ I-35 N.B. On/Off | 2 |
| I 35 Sb @ 19.50 Mile Marker | 2 |
| I35Nb At The 21Mm | 2 |
| Interstate 35/I 35 | 2 |
| Interstate 35/I 35 24Mm | 2 |
ZIP 50144 at a glance
| Population | 2,692 |
| Density | 7 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $63,333 |
| Median home value | $147,144 |
| Home ownership | 63% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Decatur 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 | 4 | — | 0.1 |
| 2000s | 6 | +83% | 0.2 |
| 2010s | 9 | +45% | 0.5 |
| 2020s | 14 | +45% | 0.6 |
In the 1990s about 4 truck crashes a year were reported; in the 2020s, about 14. Reporting coverage also changed between these periods. Fatal large-truck crashes: 1.2 a year in 2016–19, 0.6 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 50144
How many truck accidents are there in ZIP 50144?
Since 2015, 143 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Decatur County (84 injured, 11 killed).
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in ZIP 50144?
I-35 had 3 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 50144 since 2015, more than any other road.
Which month has the most truck crashes in ZIP 50144?
Truck crashes in Decatur County peak in January, with 16.8% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in ZIP 50144?
Garbage trucks were involved in 3 reported crashes in Decatur County since 2015 (2.1% of truck crashes).
How does ZIP 50144 compare with Iowa for truck crashes?
Per 100,000 residents, Decatur County has 163.9 truck crashes a year; Iowa has 68.1.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in ZIP 50144?
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.