ZIP 50218 (Patterson, IA) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 50218: 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 has lower values than Iowa for crashes per 100k residents / yr, injuries per crash and winter months (nov–mar). It stands out for higher deaths per 100 crashes, garbage-truck share and on snow, slush or ice.
What stands out in Madison County: 1 in 14 garbage-truck share of crashes is 6.9%, against 2.2% for Iowa.
Overview
Madison County has recorded 77 truck crashes since 2015, with 18 people injured and 3 killed.
That averages about one truck crash every 56 days in fully reported years.
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.
The busiest hour is 1–2 pm, with 15.6% of truck crashes.
27.8% of truck crashes here happened on snow, slush or ice, against 18.7% across Iowa.
Where crashes happen
Since 2015, fatal crashes with a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 50218 happened on I-35 (2), CR-P71 W Summit St (1) and Ts-Upland Ave (1); no road leads clearly.
Garbage & waste trucks
5 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 6.5% share (Iowa: 2.2%).
Route planning tips for ZIP 50218 fleets
- Build extra time into October routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- 30.6% of truck crashes happen between 6 and 10 am, above Iowa; consider earlier or later starts where possible.
- Icy and snowy roads show up in 27.8% of truck crashes here, more than Iowa; schedule winter checks early.
- Use the free Route Planner to score your route and spot low bridges before drivers head out.
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-35 | 2 |
| CR-P71 W Summit St | 1 |
| Ts-Upland Ave | 1 |
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 50218 at a glance
| Population | 346 |
| Density | 298 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $82,969 |
| Home ownership | 89% |
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. NHTSA counts 0.5 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 0.2 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 50218
How many truck crashes happen in ZIP 50218?
Since 2015, 77 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Madison County (18 injured, 3 killed).
What is the worst month for truck crashes in ZIP 50218?
Truck crashes in Madison County peak in October, with 15.6% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 50218?
Garbage trucks were involved in 5 reported crashes in Madison County since 2015 (6.5% of truck crashes).
How does ZIP 50218 compare with Iowa for truck crashes?
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 50218?
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.