ZIP 51510 (Carter Lake, IA) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 51510: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Pottawattamie 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
15 of 1,310 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Pottawattamie County compares with Iowa
Pottawattamie County against Iowa and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Pottawattamie County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Pottawattamie County | Iowa | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 118.3 | 68.1 | 49.7 | 1.7× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 2.1 | 3.5 | 3.4 | 40% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.33 | 0.41 | 0.49 | 20% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 1.1% | 2.2% | 2.3% | 47% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 17.5% | 18.7% | 6.2% | same |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 22.4% | 24.0% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 17.9% | 15.1% | 13.8% | 1.2× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 47.5% | 45.4% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 29.3% | 23.1% | 24.8% | 1.3× the state |
Compared with Iowa, Pottawattamie County is lower on deaths per 100 crashes, injuries per crash and garbage-truck share. It stands out for higher crashes per 100k residents / yr, in rain, sleet or snow and after dark.
ZIP 51510 at a glance: I-80 most fatal truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 51510: 9 since 2015.
Overview
Pottawattamie County has recorded 1,310 truck crashes since 2015, with 420 people injured and 31 killed.
That averages about one truck crash every 3 days in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in January (11.9% of the year) and are lowest in April (6.9%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 47.5% of truck crashes, against 45.4% across Iowa.
By time of day, 10–11 am stands out with 6.6% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 17.5% of truck crashes, compared with 18.7% in Iowa.
Where crashes happen
Within this area, I-80 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (9). It is followed by US-6 (3), US-75 (3) and Abbott Dr (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
15 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 1.1% share (Iowa: 2.2%).
Route planning tips for ZIP 51510 fleets
- Plan January schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Pottawattamie County.
- Where you can, review stops along I-80; it has the most fatal large-truck crashes nearby.
- 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 Pottawattamie County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-80 | 9 |
| US-6 | 3 |
| US-75 | 3 |
| Abbott Dr | 1 |
| CR-G066 Pioneer Trl | 1 |
| CR-MYNSTER Springs Rd | 1 |
| I-480 | 1 |
| I-680 | 1 |
| I-I-680 | 1 |
| Mu-608 N Saddle Creek Rd | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Pottawattamie County) |
|---|---|
| I-80 | 62 |
| I-29 | 20 |
| Interstate 29/I 29 | 15 |
| Interstate 80/I 80 | 14 |
| US-6 | 11 |
| I-880 | 8 |
| Interstate 29/I29 Ramp | 8 |
| US-59 | 6 |
ZIP 51510 at a glance
| Population | 3,767 |
| Density | 810 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $85,349 |
| Median home value | $158,292 |
| Home ownership | 91% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Pottawattamie 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 | 70 | — | 2.9 |
| 2000s | 81 | +16% | 2.2 |
| 2010s | 96 | +18% | 1.7 |
| 2020s | 114 | +19% | 2.4 |
In the 1990s about 70 truck crashes a year were reported; in the 2020s, about 114. Reporting coverage also changed between these periods. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 2.2 a year in 2016–19 and 2.4 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 51510
How many truck accidents are there in ZIP 51510?
Pottawattamie County has had 1,310 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 420 people and killing 31.
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in ZIP 51510?
I-80 had 9 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 51510 since 2015, more than any other road.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in ZIP 51510?
The worst month is January: 11.9% of truck crashes in Pottawattamie County happen then.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 51510?
15 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Pottawattamie County since 2015, 1.1% of all truck crashes.
How does ZIP 51510 compare with Iowa for truck crashes?
Pottawattamie County records 118.3 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 68.1 across Iowa.
How can I plan a safer truck route in ZIP 51510?
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.