ZIP 78550 (Harlingen, TX) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 78550: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Cameron 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
9 of 1,016 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Cameron County compares with Texas
Cameron County against Texas and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Cameron County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Cameron County | Texas | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 20.1 | 62.9 | 49.7 | 68% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 4.5 | 4.1 | 3.4 | 1.1× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.79 | 0.58 | 0.49 | 1.4× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 0.8% | 1.1% | 2.3% | 24% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 0.6% | 1.7% | 6.2% | 62% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 21.5% | 22.6% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 12.1% | 11.3% | 13.8% | 1.1× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 42.3% | 40.8% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 23.4% | 27.0% | 24.8% | 13% below the state |
Compared with Texas, Cameron County is lower on crashes per 100k residents / yr, garbage-truck share and on snow, slush or ice. Where it is higher: deaths per 100 crashes, injuries per crash and in rain, sleet or snow.
What stands out in ZIP 78550: Fm 106 most fatal truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 78550: 4 since 2015.
Overview
Police reported 1,016 crashes involving commercial trucks in Cameron County since 2015: 786 people were injured and 45 were killed.
That averages about one truck crash every 4 days in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
July has the most truck crashes, 10.1% of the yearly total, while May has the fewest (7.1%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 42.3% of truck crashes, against 40.8% across Texas.
By time of day, 12–1 pm stands out with 7.4% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 0.6% of truck crashes, compared with 1.7% in Texas.
Where crashes happen
The deadliest road for trucks within 10 miles of ZIP 78550 is Fm 106, with 4 fatal large-truck crashes since 2015. It is followed by I-69 (3), Fm 106/Cr-General Brant Rd (1) and Fm 345/Sam Houston (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 9 crashes, 0.9% of the total, against 1.1% across Texas.
Route planning tips for ZIP 78550 fleets
- Plan July schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Cameron County.
- Where you can, review stops along Fm 106; it has the most fatal large-truck crashes nearby.
- Use the free Route Planner to score your route and spot low bridges before drivers head out.
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 Cameron County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| Fm 106 | 4 |
| I-69 | 3 |
| Fm 106/Cr-General Brant Rd | 1 |
| Fm 345/Sam Houston | 1 |
| Fm 507 | 1 |
| Fm 509 | 1 |
| I-2 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Cameron County) |
|---|---|
| Padre Island Hwy | 43 |
| Boca Chica Blvd | 28 |
| Fm 511 | 19 |
| International Blvd | 18 |
| Ruben M Torres Blvd | 15 |
| Paredes Line Rd | 14 |
| Military Hwy | 14 |
| Senator Eddie Lucio Jr Hwy | 13 |
ZIP 78550 at a glance
| Population | 53,335 |
| Density | 219 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $49,007 |
| Median home value | $130,287 |
| Home ownership | 50% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Cameron 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 | 110 | — | 2.8 |
| 2000s | 90 | -18% | 1.7 |
| 2010s | 71 | -22% | 2.2 |
| 2020s | 92 | +29% | 3.4 |
In the 1990s about 110 truck crashes a year were reported; in the 2020s, about 92. Reporting coverage also changed between these periods. NHTSA counts 2.0 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 3.4 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 78550
How many truck accidents are there in ZIP 78550?
Cameron County has had 1,016 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 786 people and killing 45.
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in ZIP 78550?
Since 2015, Fm 106 has had the most fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 78550: 4.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in ZIP 78550?
Truck crashes in Cameron County peak in July, with 10.1% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 78550?
Since 2015, Cameron County has reported 9 garbage-truck crashes, or 0.9% of its truck crashes.
How does ZIP 78550 compare with Texas for truck crashes?
Cameron County records 20.1 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 62.9 across Texas.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in ZIP 78550?
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.