ZIP 57038 (Jefferson, SD) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 57038: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Union 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 188 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Union County compares with South Dakota
Union County against South Dakota and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Union County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Union County | South Dakota | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 90.4 | 42.0 | 49.7 | 2.2× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 4.6 | 5.2 | 3.4 | 12% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.09 | 0.13 | 0.49 | 31% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 0.6% | 1.6% | 2.3% | 64% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 37.6% | 28.6% | 6.2% | 1.3× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 23.7% | 22.2% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 27.2% | 17.5% | 13.8% | 1.5× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 56.1% | 48.8% | 41.9% | 1.1× the state |
| After dark | 28.3% | 22.8% | 24.8% | 1.2× the state |
Union County has lower values than South Dakota for deaths per 100 crashes, injuries per crash and garbage-truck share. It runs above South Dakota on crashes per 100k residents / yr, on snow, slush or ice and in rain, sleet or snow.
What stands out in Union County: December the month with the most truck crashes: 16.0% of the year's total.
Overview
Since 2015, 188 crashes involving commercial trucks have been reported in Union County. They injured 17 people and killed 8.
That averages about one truck crash every 23 days in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
December has the most truck crashes, 16.0% of the yearly total, while October has the fewest (2.7%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 56.1% of truck crashes, against 48.8% across South Dakota.
More truck crashes happen at 1–2 pm than at any other hour (10.1%).
Road surface: 37.6% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (South Dakota: 28.6%).
Where crashes happen
I-29 leads within 10 miles of ZIP 57038 with 4 fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015. It is followed by US-20 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 1 of the truck crashes here, or 0.5%, compared with 1.6% in South Dakota.
Route planning tips for ZIP 57038 fleets
- Plan December schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Union County.
- Check whether your routes use I-29, the road with the most fatal truck crashes in this area.
- With 37.6% of truck crashes on snow, slush or ice (above South Dakota), plan winter equipment checks early.
- Check your own stops for crash hotspots and low bridges with the free Route Planner.
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 Union County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-29 | 4 |
| US-20 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Union County) |
|---|---|
| I-29 | 139 |
| Sd Hwy 50 | 10 |
| Sd Hwy 46 | 8 |
| Ave | 6 |
| N Derby Ln | 4 |
| Sd Hwy 48 | 3 |
| River Dr | 2 |
| First St | 1 |
ZIP 57038 at a glance
| Population | 1,796 |
| Density | 14 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $106,250 |
| Median home value | $306,491 |
| Home ownership | 92% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Union 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 | 11 | — | 0.4 |
| 2000s | 10 | -4% | 0.2 |
| 2010s | 13 | +28% | 0.3 |
| 2020s | 18 | +36% | 0.8 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 11 a year in the 1990s and 18 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. NHTSA counts 0.2 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 0.8 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 57038
How many truck accidents are there in ZIP 57038?
188 truck crashes have been reported in Union County since 2015, with 8 deaths and 17 injuries.
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in ZIP 57038?
NHTSA data shows I-29 with 4 fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 57038 since 2015, the highest of any road.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in ZIP 57038?
The worst month is December: 16.0% of truck crashes in Union County happen then.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 57038?
1 crash involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Union County since 2015, 0.5% of all truck crashes.
How does ZIP 57038 compare with South Dakota for truck crashes?
Union County records 90.4 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 42.0 across South Dakota.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in ZIP 57038?
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.