ZIP 78342 (Ben Bolt, TX) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 78342: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Jim Wells 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
1 of 478 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Jim Wells County compares with Texas
Jim Wells County against Texas and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Jim Wells County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Jim Wells County | Texas | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 107.5 | 62.9 | 49.7 | 1.7× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 5.9 | 4.1 | 3.4 | 1.4× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.68 | 0.58 | 0.49 | 1.2× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 0.2% | 1.1% | 2.3% | 80% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 0.7% | 1.7% | 6.2% | 61% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 17.4% | 22.6% | 23.7% | 23% below the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 29.3% | 11.3% | 13.8% | 2.6× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 45.9% | 40.8% | 41.9% | 1.1× the state |
| After dark | 35.2% | 27.0% | 24.8% | 1.3× the state |
Jim Wells County sits below Texas on garbage-truck share, on snow, slush or ice and morning rush (6–10 am). It stands out for higher crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and injuries per crash.
Jim Wells County at a glance: 29.3% of truck crashes happen in rain, sleet or snow, vs 11.3% in Texas.
Overview
Police reported 478 crashes involving commercial trucks in Jim Wells County since 2015: 328 people were injured and 29 were killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 9 days.
When crashes happen
The worst month is May with 11.3% of truck crashes; the quietest is August at 5.0%.
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 45.9% of truck crashes, vs 40.8% for Texas.
The busiest hour is 1–2 pm, with 7.1% of truck crashes.
0.7% of truck crashes here happened on snow, slush or ice, against 1.7% across Texas.
Where crashes happen
The deadliest road for trucks within 10 miles of ZIP 78342 is US-281, with 3 fatal large-truck crashes since 2015. Next come SR-141 (1), SR-281R (1) and SR-44 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
1 crash involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 0.2% share (Texas: 1.1%).
Route planning tips for ZIP 78342 fleets
- Build extra time into May routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Look at alternatives to US-281 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- Use the free Route Planner to score your route and spot low bridges before drivers head out.
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 Jim Wells County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| US-281 | 3 |
| SR-141 | 1 |
| SR-281R | 1 |
| SR-44 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Jim Wells County) |
|---|---|
| US-281 | 6 |
| E 1900 Main St | 5 |
| Cecilia St | 3 |
| Commerce Rd | 3 |
| E 1100 Main St | 3 |
| E 2500 Main St | 3 |
| Sh 44 | 3 |
| E 1600 Main St | 2 |
ZIP 78342 at a glance
| Population | 399 |
| Density | 88 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $40,739 |
| Home ownership | 62% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Jim Wells 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 | 24 | — | 1.1 |
| 2000s | 27 | +15% | 0.8 |
| 2010s | 43 | +56% | 1.6 |
| 2020s | 38 | -11% | 1.4 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 24 a year in the 1990s and 38 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 1.5 a year in 2016–19 and 1.4 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 78342
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 78342?
Jim Wells County has had 478 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 328 people and killing 29.
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in ZIP 78342?
US-281 had 3 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 78342 since 2015, more than any other road.
Which month has the most truck crashes in ZIP 78342?
May has the most truck crashes in Jim Wells County, 11.3% of the yearly total.
Are garbage truck crashes common in ZIP 78342?
1 crash involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Jim Wells County since 2015, 0.2% of all truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in ZIP 78342 compare with Texas?
The yearly rate is 107.5 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in Jim Wells County, vs 62.9 for Texas.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in ZIP 78342?
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.