ZIP 87549 (Ojo Caliente, NM) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 87549: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Rio Arriba 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
3 of 75 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Rio Arriba County compares with New Mexico
Rio Arriba County against New Mexico and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Rio Arriba County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Rio Arriba County | New Mexico | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 15.9 | 45.6 | 49.7 | 65% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 15.7 | 9.5 | 3.4 | 1.7× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.44 | 0.56 | 0.49 | 21% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 4.3% | 0.4% | 2.3% | 9.5× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 14.3% | 12.1% | 6.2% | 1.2× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 15.7% | 22.8% | 23.7% | 31% below the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 10.0% | 11.7% | 13.8% | 15% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 45.7% | 46.8% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 25.7% | 30.2% | 24.8% | 15% below the state |
Rio Arriba County sits below New Mexico on crashes per 100k residents / yr, injuries per crash and morning rush (6–10 am). Where it is higher: deaths per 100 crashes, garbage-truck share and on snow, slush or ice.
The headline for Rio Arriba County: 1 in 23 garbage-truck share of crashes is 4.3%, against 0.4% for New Mexico.
Overview
Since 2015, 75 crashes involving commercial trucks have been reported in Rio Arriba County. They injured 33 people and killed 13.
That averages about one truck crash every 57 days in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in January (14.7% of the year) and are lowest in April (4.0%).
November through March accounts for 45.7% of truck crashes here, compared with 46.8% in New Mexico.
By time of day, 10–11 am stands out with 12.0% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 14.3% of truck crashes, compared with 12.1% in New Mexico.
Where crashes happen
Since 2015, fatal crashes with a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 87549 happened on SR-68 (1) and US-285 (1); no road leads clearly.
Garbage & waste trucks
3 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 4.0% share (New Mexico: 0.4%).
Route planning tips for ZIP 87549 fleets
- Plan January schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Rio Arriba County.
- Icy and snowy roads show up in 14.3% of truck crashes here, more than New Mexico; schedule winter checks early.
- 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 Rio Arriba County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| SR-68 | 1 |
| US-285 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Rio Arriba County) |
|---|---|
| US-550 | 8 |
| US-84 | 5 |
| US-64 | 5 |
| State Road 68 | 2 |
| Bl0Ck Of South Riverside Drive | 1 |
| County Road 56A | 1 |
| County Road 69 | 1 |
| Hwy 84/285 Mm 197 | 1 |
ZIP 87549 at a glance
| Population | 933 |
| Density | 3 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $56,134 |
| Home ownership | 94% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Rio Arriba 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 | — | 2.1 |
| 2000s | 5 | +178% | 0.9 |
| 2010s | 6 | +20% | 0.8 |
| 2020s | 7 | +9% | 1.8 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 2 a year in the 1990s and 7 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 0.8 a year in 2016–19 and 1.8 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 87549
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 87549?
75 truck crashes have been reported in Rio Arriba County since 2015, with 13 deaths and 33 injuries.
When do most truck crashes happen in ZIP 87549?
The worst month is January: 14.7% of truck crashes in Rio Arriba County happen then.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 87549?
Since 2015, Rio Arriba County has reported 3 garbage-truck crashes, or 4.0% of its truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in ZIP 87549 compare with New Mexico?
Per 100,000 residents, Rio Arriba County has 15.9 truck crashes a year; New Mexico has 45.6.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in ZIP 87549?
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.