ZIP 71261 (Mer Rouge, LA) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 71261: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Morehouse Parish, 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
4 of 200 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Morehouse Parish compares with Louisiana
Morehouse Parish against Louisiana and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Morehouse Parish stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Morehouse Parish | Louisiana | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 69.6 | 81.5 | 49.7 | 15% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 3.8 | 3.0 | 3.4 | 1.3× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.78 | 0.77 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.2% | 2.2% | 2.3% | same |
| On snow, slush or ice | 0.5% | 0.8% | 6.2% | 27% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 27.5% | 23.6% | 23.7% | 1.2× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 11.5% | 10.5% | 13.8% | 1.1× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 31.3% | 40.3% | 41.9% | 22% below the state |
| After dark | 18.7% | 23.9% | 24.8% | 22% below the state |
Compared with Louisiana, Morehouse Parish is lower on crashes per 100k residents / yr, on snow, slush or ice and winter months (nov–mar). It stands out for higher deaths per 100 crashes, morning rush (6–10 am) and in rain, sleet or snow.
What stands out in Morehouse Parish: September 16.0% of truck crashes happen in September, more than any other month.
Overview
Police reported 200 crashes involving commercial trucks in Morehouse Parish since 2015: 155 people were injured and 8 were killed.
That averages about one truck crash every 22 days in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
September has the most truck crashes, 16.0% of the yearly total, while December has the fewest (5.0%).
November through March accounts for 31.3% of truck crashes here, compared with 40.3% in Louisiana.
By time of day, 9–10 am stands out with 11.5% of truck crashes.
Road surface: 0.5% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (Louisiana: 0.8%).
Where crashes happen
Fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 71261 since 2015 were spread across roads: SR-3051 (2).
Garbage & waste trucks
4 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 2.0% share (Louisiana: 2.2%).
Route planning tips for ZIP 71261 fleets
- Build extra time into September routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Morning starts matter: 27.5% of truck crashes fall between 6 and 10 am, higher than Louisiana.
- Use the free Route Planner to score your route and spot low bridges before drivers head out.
About the data
Crash counts come from the FMCSA crash file (police-reported crashes involving trucks over 10,000 lb); fatal-crash locations come from NHTSA FARS. Text on this page states only what these numbers show.
Truck crashes by year: all trucks vs garbage trucks
Seasonality: when trucks crash in Morehouse Parish
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| SR-3051 | 2 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Morehouse Parish) |
|---|---|
| US-425 | 47 |
| US-165 | 41 |
| Madison | 14 |
| La-2 | 10 |
| La-139 | 9 |
| La-142 | 7 |
| La-1268 | 6 |
| La-593 | 5 |
ZIP 71261 at a glance
| Population | 1,171 |
| Density | 3 per sq mi |
| Median home value | $103,809 |
| Home ownership | 57% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Morehouse Parish 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 | 12 | — | 1.4 |
| 2000s | 20 | +61% | 1.0 |
| 2010s | 19 | -3% | 0.8 |
| 2020s | 16 | -19% | 0.8 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 12 a year in the 1990s and 16 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 0.5 a year in 2016–19 and 0.8 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 71261
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 71261?
Since 2015, 200 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Morehouse Parish (155 injured, 8 killed).
Which month has the most truck crashes in ZIP 71261?
September has the most truck crashes in Morehouse Parish, 16.0% of the yearly total.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 71261?
Garbage trucks were involved in 4 reported crashes in Morehouse Parish since 2015 (2.0% of truck crashes).
How does ZIP 71261 compare with Louisiana for truck crashes?
Morehouse Parish records 69.6 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 81.5 across Louisiana.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in ZIP 71261?
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.