ZIP 54026 (Star Prairie, WI) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 54026: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Polk 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
11 of 155 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Polk County compares with Wisconsin
Polk County against Wisconsin and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Polk County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Polk County | Wisconsin | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 30.3 | 42.6 | 49.7 | 29% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 3.9 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 1.1× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.46 | 0.46 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 7.2% | 2.7% | 2.3% | 2.6× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 24.2% | 13.4% | 6.2% | 1.8× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 32.7% | 26.9% | 23.7% | 1.2× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 18.9% | 16.5% | 13.8% | 1.1× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 48.4% | 44.9% | 41.9% | 1.1× the state |
| After dark | 13.7% | 20.9% | 24.8% | 34% below the state |
Polk County sits below Wisconsin on crashes per 100k residents / yr and after dark. It stands out for higher deaths per 100 crashes, garbage-truck share and on snow, slush or ice.
Polk County at a glance: 1 in 14 garbage-truck share of crashes is 7.2%, against 2.7% for Wisconsin.
Overview
Police reported 155 crashes involving commercial trucks in Polk County since 2015: 71 people were injured and 6 were killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 26 days.
When crashes happen
The worst month is March with 12.3% of truck crashes; the quietest is May at 4.5%.
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 48.4% of truck crashes, vs 44.9% for Wisconsin.
By time of day, 8–9 am stands out with 11.0% of truck crashes.
Road surface: 24.2% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (Wisconsin: 13.4%).
Where crashes happen
Fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 54026 since 2015 were spread across roads: CR-K (1), SR-46 (1) and SR-65 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 11 crashes, 7.1% of the total, against 2.7% across Wisconsin.
Route planning tips for ZIP 54026 fleets
- Plan March schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Polk County.
- 32.7% of truck crashes happen between 6 and 10 am, above Wisconsin; consider earlier or later starts where possible.
- With 24.2% of truck crashes on snow, slush or ice (above Wisconsin), plan winter equipment checks early.
- 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 Polk County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| CR-K | 1 |
| SR-46 | 1 |
| SR-65 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Polk County) |
|---|---|
| Ush 008 | 21 |
| Ush 063 | 17 |
| Sth 035 | 11 |
| Sth 046 | 10 |
| Cth M | 6 |
| Sth 048 | 6 |
| Cth Jj | 4 |
| SR-008 | 4 |
ZIP 54026 at a glance
| Population | 2,361 |
| Density | 33 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $95,833 |
| Median home value | $341,317 |
| Home ownership | 92% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Polk 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 | 12 | — | 0.9 |
| 2000s | 16 | +39% | 0.9 |
| 2010s | 13 | -18% | 0.8 |
| 2020s | 15 | +12% | 1.0 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 12 a year in the 1990s and 15 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 0.5 a year in 2016–19 and 1.0 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 54026
How many truck accidents are there in ZIP 54026?
155 truck crashes have been reported in Polk County since 2015, with 6 deaths and 71 injuries.
When do most truck crashes happen in ZIP 54026?
March has the most truck crashes in Polk County, 12.3% of the yearly total.
Are garbage truck crashes common in ZIP 54026?
11 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Polk County since 2015, 7.1% of all truck crashes.
What is the truck crash rate in ZIP 54026 compared with Wisconsin?
The yearly rate is 30.3 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in Polk County, vs 42.6 for Wisconsin.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in ZIP 54026?
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.