ZIP 57748 (Howes, SD) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 57748: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Meade 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 140 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Meade County compares with South Dakota
Meade County against South Dakota and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Meade County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Meade County | South Dakota | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 38.5 | 42.0 | 49.7 | 8% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 5.3 | 5.2 | 3.4 | same |
| Injuries per crash | 0.08 | 0.13 | 0.49 | 38% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 0.8% | 1.6% | 2.3% | 53% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 25.9% | 28.6% | 6.2% | 9% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 25.2% | 22.2% | 23.7% | 1.1× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 13.7% | 17.5% | 13.8% | 22% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 51.1% | 48.8% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 28.2% | 22.8% | 24.8% | 1.2× the state |
Meade County has lower values than South Dakota for crashes per 100k residents / yr, injuries per crash and garbage-truck share. Where it is higher: morning rush (6–10 am) and after dark.
Meade County at a glance: December the month with the most truck crashes: 15.7% of the year's total.
Overview
Police reported 140 crashes involving commercial trucks in Meade County since 2015: 14 people were injured and 7 were killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 31 days.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in December (15.7% of the year) and are lowest in April (4.3%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 51.1% of truck crashes, vs 48.8% for South Dakota.
The busiest hour is 8–9 am, with 10.0% of truck crashes.
Road surface: 25.9% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (South Dakota: 28.6%).
Where crashes happen
Fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 57748 since 2015 were spread across roads: SR-34 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 2 crashes, 1.4% of the total, against 1.6% across South Dakota.
Route planning tips for ZIP 57748 fleets
- Plan December schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Meade County.
- Morning starts matter: 25.2% of truck crashes fall between 6 and 10 am, higher than South Dakota.
- 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 Meade County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| SR-34 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Meade County) |
|---|---|
| I-90 | 77 |
| Sd Hwy 34 | 14 |
| Sd Hwy 79 | 8 |
| US-212 | 5 |
| Sd Hwy 73 | 5 |
| New Underwood Rd | 3 |
| Avalanche Rd | 2 |
| Elk Creek Rd | 2 |
ZIP 57748 at a glance
| Population | 369 |
| Density | 0 per sq mi |
| Home ownership | 68% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Meade 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 | 6 | — | 0.6 |
| 2000s | 10 | +58% | 0.7 |
| 2010s | 10 | -2% | 0.2 |
| 2020s | 14 | +46% | 1.0 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 6 to 14. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 0.2 a year in 2016–19 and 1.0 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 57748
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 57748?
Since 2015, 140 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Meade County (14 injured, 7 killed).
What is the worst month for truck crashes in ZIP 57748?
Truck crashes in Meade County peak in December, with 15.7% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 57748?
2 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Meade County since 2015, 1.4% of all truck crashes.
What is the truck crash rate in ZIP 57748 compared with South Dakota?
Meade County records 38.5 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 42.0 across South Dakota.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in ZIP 57748?
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.