ZIP 61281 (Sherrard, IL) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 61281: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Mercer 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 53 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Mercer County compares with Illinois
Mercer County against Illinois and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Mercer County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Mercer County | Illinois | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 30.3 | 56.0 | 49.7 | 46% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 2.0 | 2.6 | 3.4 | 23% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.37 | 0.50 | 0.49 | 26% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 3.9% | 1.4% | 2.3% | 2.9× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 17.6% | 9.0% | 6.2% | 2.0× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 29.4% | 24.3% | 23.7% | 1.2× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 23.5% | 17.9% | 13.8% | 1.3× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 43.1% | 42.0% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 9.8% | 24.1% | 24.8% | 59% below the state |
Compared with Illinois, Mercer County is lower on crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and injuries per crash. It runs above Illinois on garbage-truck share, on snow, slush or ice and morning rush (6–10 am).
The headline for Mercer County: 1 in 26 garbage-truck share of crashes is 3.9%, against 1.4% for Illinois.
Overview
Mercer County has recorded 53 truck crashes since 2015, with 20 people injured and 1 killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 79 days.
When crashes happen
March has the most truck crashes, 11.3% of the yearly total, while September has the fewest (3.8%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 43.1% of truck crashes, vs 42.0% for Illinois.
More truck crashes happen at 8–9 am than at any other hour (11.3%).
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 17.6% of truck crashes, compared with 9.0% in Illinois.
Where crashes happen
Since 2015, fatal crashes with a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 61281 happened on 63rd St (1) and SR-81 (1); no road leads clearly.
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 2 crashes, 3.8% of the total, against 1.4% across Illinois.
Route planning tips for ZIP 61281 fleets
- Build extra time into March routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- 29.4% of truck crashes happen between 6 and 10 am, above Illinois; consider earlier or later starts where possible.
- With 17.6% of truck crashes on snow, slush or ice (above Illinois), 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 Mercer County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| 63rd St | 1 |
| SR-81 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Mercer County) |
|---|---|
| US-67 | 6 |
| SR-17 | 6 |
| SR-67 | 3 |
| 150Th St | 2 |
| Il-17 | 2 |
| Us Rt 67 | 2 |
| 135Th Ave | 1 |
| 135Th St | 1 |
ZIP 61281 at a glance
| Population | 2,520 |
| Density | 24 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $102,639 |
| Median home value | $224,337 |
| Home ownership | 92% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Mercer 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 | 2 | — | 0.4 |
| 2000s | 4 | +116% | 0.3 |
| 2010s | 5 | +46% | 0.2 |
| 2020s | 5 | -7% | 0.0 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 2 a year in the 1990s and 5 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 61281
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 61281?
53 truck crashes have been reported in Mercer County since 2015, with 1 deaths and 20 injuries.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in ZIP 61281?
The worst month is March: 11.3% of truck crashes in Mercer County happen then.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in ZIP 61281?
Since 2015, Mercer County has reported 2 garbage-truck crashes, or 3.8% of its truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in ZIP 61281 compare with Illinois?
Per 100,000 residents, Mercer County has 30.3 truck crashes a year; Illinois has 56.0.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in ZIP 61281?
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.