ZIP 51533 (Emerson, IA) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 51533: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Montgomery 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
1 of 48 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Montgomery County compares with Iowa
Montgomery County against Iowa and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Montgomery County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Montgomery County | Iowa | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 40.7 | 68.1 | 49.7 | 40% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 2.2 | 3.5 | 3.4 | 37% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.51 | 0.41 | 0.49 | 1.2× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.2% | 2.2% | 2.3% | same |
| On snow, slush or ice | 6.7% | 18.7% | 6.2% | 64% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 28.9% | 24.0% | 23.7% | 1.2× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 4.4% | 15.1% | 13.8% | 71% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 26.7% | 45.4% | 41.9% | 41% below the state |
| After dark | 13.3% | 23.1% | 24.8% | 42% below the state |
Montgomery County has lower values than Iowa for crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and on snow, slush or ice. It stands out for higher injuries per crash and morning rush (6–10 am).
What stands out in Montgomery County: May the month with the most truck crashes: 20.8% of the year's total.
Overview
Police reported 48 crashes involving commercial trucks in Montgomery County since 2015: 26 people were injured and 2 were killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 89 days.
When crashes happen
May has the most truck crashes, 20.8% of the yearly total, while February has the fewest (2.1%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 26.7% of truck crashes, against 45.4% across Iowa.
By time of day, 4–5 pm stands out with 16.7% of truck crashes.
Road surface: 6.7% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (Iowa: 18.7%).
Where crashes happen
Roads with fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 51533 since 2015: US-34 (2). No single road stands out.
Garbage & waste trucks
1 crash involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 2.1% share (Iowa: 2.2%).
Route planning tips for ZIP 51533 fleets
- Build extra time into May routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Morning starts matter: 28.9% of truck crashes fall between 6 and 10 am, higher than Iowa.
- Check your own stops for crash hotspots and low bridges with the free Route Planner.
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 Montgomery County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| US-34 | 2 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Montgomery County) |
|---|---|
| US-34 | 9 |
| H014/110 St | 3 |
| M037/B Ave | 2 |
| State 48/Iowa 48 | 2 |
| US-71 | 2 |
| Us 34 And M063/O Ave | 2 |
| 110Th St | 1 |
| 140Th St | 1 |
ZIP 51533 at a glance
| Population | 844 |
| Density | 4 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $68,750 |
| Median home value | $130,077 |
| Home ownership | 88% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Montgomery 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 | 2 | — | 0.1 |
| 2000s | 2 | +53% | 0.2 |
| 2010s | 4 | +74% | 0.1 |
| 2020s | 4 | +0% | 0.2 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 2 a year in the 1990s and 4 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal large-truck crashes: 0.0 a year in 2016–19, 0.2 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 51533
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 51533?
48 truck crashes have been reported in Montgomery County since 2015, with 2 deaths and 26 injuries.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in ZIP 51533?
The worst month is May: 20.8% of truck crashes in Montgomery County happen then.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 51533?
Garbage trucks were involved in 1 reported crash in Montgomery County since 2015 (2.1% of truck crashes).
What is the truck crash rate in ZIP 51533 compared with Iowa?
Montgomery County records 40.7 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 68.1 across Iowa.
How can I plan a safer truck route in ZIP 51533?
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.