ZIP 87043 (Placitas, NM) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 87043: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Sandoval 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
6 of 242 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Sandoval County compares with New Mexico
Sandoval County against New Mexico and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Sandoval County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Sandoval County | New Mexico | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 12.9 | 45.6 | 49.7 | 72% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 7.2 | 9.5 | 3.4 | 24% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.54 | 0.56 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.7% | 0.4% | 2.3% | 6.0× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 9.4% | 12.1% | 6.2% | 22% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 25.1% | 22.8% | 23.7% | 1.1× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 13.0% | 11.7% | 13.8% | 1.1× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 43.0% | 46.8% | 41.9% | 8% below the state |
| After dark | 32.3% | 30.2% | 24.8% | same |
Sandoval County has lower values than New Mexico for crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and on snow, slush or ice. Where it is higher: garbage-truck share, morning rush (6–10 am) and in rain, sleet or snow.
What stands out in Sandoval County: 1 in 37 of truck crashes here involve garbage trucks: 2.7%, vs 0.4% in New Mexico.
Overview
Police reported 242 crashes involving commercial trucks in Sandoval County since 2015: 126 people were injured and 17 were killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 18 days.
When crashes happen
The worst month is September with 13.2% of truck crashes; the quietest is April at 4.5%.
November through March accounts for 43.0% of truck crashes here, compared with 46.8% in New Mexico.
The busiest hour is 7–8 am, with 7.4% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 9.4% of truck crashes, compared with 12.1% in New Mexico.
Where crashes happen
Roads with fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 87043 since 2015: I-25 (2) and SR-528 (2). No single road stands out.
Garbage & waste trucks
6 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 2.5% share (New Mexico: 0.4%).
Route planning tips for ZIP 87043 fleets
- Review driver schedules for September, the month with the most truck crashes.
- The morning rush (6–10 am) holds 25.1% of truck crashes here, more than New Mexico; adjust start times where you can.
- Check your own stops for crash hotspots and low bridges with the free Route Planner.
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 Sandoval County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-25 | 2 |
| SR-528 | 2 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Sandoval County) |
|---|---|
| US-550 | 57 |
| I-25 | 15 |
| SR-550 | 5 |
| Nm 528 | 4 |
| State Road 528 | 3 |
| Us Highway 550 & Ts Jicarilla Rd | 3 |
| W Us 550 | 3 |
| Abrazo Rd | 2 |
ZIP 87043 at a glance
| Population | 4,223 |
| Density | 15 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $109,750 |
| Median home value | $561,167 |
| Home ownership | 94% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Sandoval 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 | 4 | — | 1.8 |
| 2000s | 10 | +163% | 1.8 |
| 2010s | 18 | +79% | 1.2 |
| 2020s | 19 | +5% | 1.0 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 4 a year in the 1990s and 19 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. NHTSA counts 1.2 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 1.0 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 87043
How many truck accidents are there in ZIP 87043?
Since 2015, 242 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Sandoval County (126 injured, 17 killed).
Which month has the most truck crashes in ZIP 87043?
September has the most truck crashes in Sandoval County, 13.2% of the yearly total.
Are garbage truck crashes common in ZIP 87043?
Since 2015, Sandoval County has reported 6 garbage-truck crashes, or 2.5% of its truck crashes.
How does ZIP 87043 compare with New Mexico for truck crashes?
Per 100,000 residents, Sandoval County has 12.9 truck crashes a year; New Mexico has 45.6.
How can I plan a safer truck route in ZIP 87043?
Paste your stops into the free CurbWaste Route Planner: it scores your route against fatal-crash locations, suggests safer alternatives and flags low bridges.
2026 is a partial year. Updated October 2026.