ZIP 51031 (Le Mars, IA) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 51031: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Plymouth 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
2 of 357 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Plymouth County compares with Iowa
Plymouth County against Iowa and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Plymouth County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Plymouth County | Iowa | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 121.1 | 68.1 | 49.7 | 1.8× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 5.2 | 3.5 | 3.4 | 1.5× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.48 | 0.41 | 0.49 | 1.2× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 0.3% | 2.2% | 2.3% | 87% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 15.1% | 18.7% | 6.2% | 19% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 18.9% | 24.0% | 23.7% | 21% below the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 7.0% | 15.1% | 13.8% | 54% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 41.6% | 45.4% | 41.9% | 8% below the state |
| After dark | 20.3% | 23.1% | 24.8% | 12% below the state |
Plymouth County has lower values than Iowa for garbage-truck share, on snow, slush or ice and morning rush (6–10 am). It stands out for higher crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and injuries per crash.
Plymouth County at a glance: 1 in 345 garbage-truck share of crashes is 0.3%, against 2.2% for Iowa.
Overview
Plymouth County has recorded 357 truck crashes since 2015, with 173 people injured and 18 killed.
That averages about one truck crash every 12 days in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in October (13.2% of the year) and are lowest in February (5.3%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 41.6% of truck crashes, against 45.4% across Iowa.
More truck crashes happen at 12–1 pm than at any other hour (10.4%).
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 15.1% of truck crashes, compared with 18.7% in Iowa.
Where crashes happen
The deadliest road for trucks within 10 miles of ZIP 51031 is US-75, with 4 fatal large-truck crashes since 2015. After it: SR-3 (2), CR-B62 500Th St (1) and CR-C38 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
2 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 0.6% share (Iowa: 2.2%).
Route planning tips for ZIP 51031 fleets
- Review driver schedules for October, the month with the most truck crashes.
- Where you can, review stops along US-75; it has the most fatal large-truck crashes nearby.
- Use the free Route Planner to score your route and spot low bridges before drivers head out.
About the data
Crash counts come from the FMCSA crash file (police-reported crashes involving trucks over 10,000 lb); fatal-crash locations come from NHTSA FARS. Text on this page states only what these numbers show.
Truck crashes by year: all trucks vs garbage trucks
Seasonality: when trucks crash in Plymouth County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| US-75 | 4 |
| SR-3 | 2 |
| CR-B62 500Th St | 1 |
| CR-C38 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Plymouth County) |
|---|---|
| US-75 | 20 |
| Ia 12 | 3 |
| Us 75/Floyd Ave | 3 |
| C80 And Us 75 | 3 |
| State 140/Iowa 140 And C044/25 | 3 |
| 260Th St And Us 75 | 3 |
| Main St And Us 0075 / Floyd Av | 3 |
| K42 And Ia 3 | 3 |
ZIP 51031 at a glance
| Population | 12,808 |
| Density | 21 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $76,525 |
| Median home value | $216,714 |
| Home ownership | 65% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Plymouth 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 | 22 | — | 0.8 |
| 2000s | 21 | -2% | 1.0 |
| 2010s | 23 | +9% | 0.7 |
| 2020s | 35 | +49% | 1.2 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 22 a year in the 1990s and 35 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. NHTSA counts 1.2 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 1.2 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 51031
How many truck accidents are there in ZIP 51031?
357 truck crashes have been reported in Plymouth County since 2015, with 18 deaths and 173 injuries.
What is the most dangerous road for trucks in ZIP 51031?
NHTSA data shows US-75 with 4 fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 51031 since 2015, the highest of any road.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in ZIP 51031?
The worst month is October: 13.2% of truck crashes in Plymouth County happen then.
Are garbage truck crashes common in ZIP 51031?
Garbage trucks were involved in 2 reported crashes in Plymouth County since 2015 (0.6% of truck crashes).
What is the truck crash rate in ZIP 51031 compared with Iowa?
The yearly rate is 121.1 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in Plymouth County, vs 68.1 for Iowa.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in ZIP 51031?
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.