ZIP 57787 (Union Center, SD) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 57787: 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
No fatal large-truck crashes with a road name recorded here since 2015.
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 |
Compared with South Dakota, Meade County is lower on crashes per 100k residents / yr, injuries per crash and garbage-truck share. It runs above South Dakota on morning rush (6–10 am) and after dark.
The headline for Meade County: December worst month: 15.7% of truck crashes, vs 8.3% in an average month.
Overview
Meade County has recorded 140 truck crashes since 2015, with 14 people injured and 7 killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 31 days.
When crashes happen
The worst month is December with 15.7% of truck crashes; the quietest is April at 4.3%.
November through March accounts for 51.1% of truck crashes here, compared with 48.8% in South Dakota.
More truck crashes happen at 8–9 am than at any other hour (10.0%).
Road surface: 25.9% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (South Dakota: 28.6%).
Where crashes happen
Since 2015, no fatal large-truck crashes with a location were recorded within 10 miles of ZIP 57787.
Garbage & waste trucks
2 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 1.4% share (South Dakota: 1.6%).
Route planning tips for ZIP 57787 fleets
- Plan December schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Meade County.
- The morning rush (6–10 am) holds 25.2% of truck crashes here, more than South Dakota; adjust start times where you can.
- 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 Meade County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
No fatal crashes involving a large truck with a road name were recorded within 10 miles since 2015.
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 57787 at a glance
| Population | 487 |
| Density | 0 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $53,750 |
| Home ownership | 44% |
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 |
In the 1990s about 6 truck crashes a year were reported; in the 2020s, about 14. Reporting coverage also changed between these periods. 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 57787
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 57787?
Since 2015, 140 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Meade County (14 injured, 7 killed).
Which month has the most truck crashes in ZIP 57787?
The worst month is December: 15.7% of truck crashes in Meade County happen then.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in ZIP 57787?
Since 2015, Meade County has reported 2 garbage-truck crashes, or 1.4% of its truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in ZIP 57787 compare 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 57787?
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.