ZIP 61081 (Sterling, IL) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 61081: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Whiteside 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
7 of 390 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Whiteside County compares with Illinois
Whiteside County against Illinois and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Whiteside County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Whiteside County | Illinois | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 60.7 | 56.0 | 49.7 | 1.1× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 4.1 | 2.6 | 3.4 | 1.6× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.49 | 0.50 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 1.9% | 1.4% | 2.3% | 1.4× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 20.5% | 9.0% | 6.2% | 2.3× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 24.9% | 24.3% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 24.9% | 17.9% | 13.8% | 1.4× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 48.8% | 42.0% | 41.9% | 1.2× the state |
| After dark | 28.0% | 24.1% | 24.8% | 1.2× the state |
It stands out for higher crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and garbage-truck share.
Whiteside County at a glance: 20.5% on snowy, slushy or icy roads, against 9.0% across Illinois.
Overview
Since 2015, 390 crashes involving commercial trucks have been reported in Whiteside County. They injured 188 people and killed 15.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 11 days.
When crashes happen
January has the most truck crashes, 12.1% of the yearly total, while May has the fewest (4.6%).
November through March accounts for 48.8% of truck crashes here, compared with 42.0% in Illinois.
The busiest hour is 7–8 am, with 9.5% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 20.5% of truck crashes, compared with 9.0% in Illinois.
Where crashes happen
Roads with fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 61081 since 2015: I-88 (1), Prophet Rd (1), SR-40 (1) and US-30 (1). No single road stands out.
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 7 of the truck crashes here, or 1.8%, compared with 1.4% in Illinois.
Route planning tips for ZIP 61081 fleets
- Review driver schedules for January, the month with the most truck crashes.
- 20.5% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice, above Illinois; plan winter equipment checks before the season.
- Check your own stops for crash hotspots and low bridges with the free Route Planner.
About the data
Sources: the FMCSA crash file for all reported truck crashes and NHTSA FARS for fatal crashes with a large truck. Every statement here comes straight from those numbers.
Truck crashes by year: all trucks vs garbage trucks
Seasonality: when trucks crash in Whiteside County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-88 | 1 |
| Prophet Rd | 1 |
| SR-40 | 1 |
| US-30 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Whiteside County) |
|---|---|
| I-88 | 133 |
| Us Route 30 | 19 |
| US-30 | 17 |
| U.S. Route 30 | 8 |
| Il-40 | 7 |
| Lincoln Rd | 7 |
| 1St Ave | 7 |
| Us Rt 30 | 5 |
ZIP 61081 at a glance
| Population | 20,844 |
| Density | 65 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $67,586 |
| Median home value | $126,378 |
| Home ownership | 73% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Whiteside 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 | 15 | — | 1.4 |
| 2000s | 21 | +35% | 0.6 |
| 2010s | 32 | +56% | 0.4 |
| 2020s | 34 | +6% | 1.6 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 15 to 34. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. NHTSA counts 0.2 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 1.6 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 61081
How many truck crashes happen in ZIP 61081?
Since 2015, 390 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Whiteside County (188 injured, 15 killed).
What is the worst month for truck crashes in ZIP 61081?
Truck crashes in Whiteside County peak in January, with 12.1% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 61081?
7 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Whiteside County since 2015, 1.8% of all truck crashes.
What is the truck crash rate in ZIP 61081 compared with Illinois?
Per 100,000 residents, Whiteside County has 60.7 truck crashes a year; Illinois has 56.0.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in ZIP 61081?
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.