ZIP 92020 (El Cajon, CA) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 92020: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in San Diego 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
2.8 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 3.6 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How San Diego County compares with California
San Diego County against California and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where San Diego County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | San Diego County | California | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 17.6 | 33.2 | 49.7 | 47% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.4 | same |
| Injuries per crash | 0.51 | 0.44 | 0.49 | 1.2× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.8% | 1.6% | 2.3% | 1.7× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 0.3% | 0.9% | 6.2% | 70% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 26.3% | 23.5% | 23.7% | 1.1× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 7.4% | 6.5% | 13.8% | 1.1× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 41.8% | 40.2% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 28.0% | 29.1% | 24.8% | same |
Compared with California, San Diego County is lower on crashes per 100k residents / yr and on snow, slush or ice. It stands out for higher injuries per crash, garbage-truck share and morning rush (6–10 am).
San Diego County at a glance: 1 in 36 of truck crashes here involve garbage trucks: 2.8%, vs 1.6% in California.
Overview
San Diego County has recorded 6,646 truck crashes since 2015, with 3,402 people injured and 235 killed.
That averages about 2 truck crashes a day in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in March (8.8% of the year) and are lowest in November (7.8%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 41.8% of truck crashes, vs 40.2% for California.
By time of day, 7–8 am stands out with 7.0% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 0.3% of truck crashes, compared with 0.9% in California.
Where crashes happen
The deadliest road for trucks within 10 miles of ZIP 92020 is I-8, with 4 fatal large-truck crashes since 2015. It is followed by I-15 (3), SR-15 (3) and SR-52 (3).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 181 crashes, 2.7% of the total, against 1.6% across California.
Their busiest month is July, with 12% of garbage-truck crashes.
Deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes: 2.8, vs 3.6 for all truck crashes.
Route planning tips for ZIP 92020 fleets
- Build extra time into March routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Look at alternatives to I-8 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- For residential and commercial waste routes, look again at July schedules: garbage-truck crashes peak then.
- 26.3% of truck crashes happen between 6 and 10 am, above California; consider earlier or later starts where possible.
- 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 San Diego County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-8 | 4 |
| I-15 | 3 |
| SR-15 | 3 |
| SR-52 | 3 |
| I-805 | 2 |
| SR-54 | 2 |
| SR-67 | 2 |
| Alvarado Canyon Rd | 1 |
| Dehesa Rd | 1 |
| Greenfield Dr | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (San Diego County) |
|---|---|
| I-5 | 33 |
| I-805 | 29 |
| I-15 | 28 |
| SR-15 | 10 |
| I-8 | 9 |
| SR-78 | 7 |
| Sr-78 E/B | 7 |
| SR-52 | 5 |
ZIP 92020 at a glance
| Population | 57,842 |
| Density | 2,009 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $76,032 |
| Median home value | $813,150 |
| Home ownership | 44% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in San Diego 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 | — | 14.4 |
| 2000s | 411 | +20465% | 16.2 |
| 2010s | 514 | +25% | 12.4 |
| 2020s | 570 | +11% | 19.8 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 2 to 570. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 13.5 a year in 2016–19 and 19.8 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 92020
How many truck crashes happen in ZIP 92020?
Since 2015, 6,646 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in San Diego County (3,402 injured, 235 killed).
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in ZIP 92020?
I-8 had 4 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 92020 since 2015, more than any other road.
When do most truck crashes happen in ZIP 92020?
The worst month is March: 8.8% of truck crashes in San Diego County happen then.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in ZIP 92020?
Garbage trucks were involved in 181 reported crashes in San Diego County since 2015 (2.7% of truck crashes).
How does ZIP 92020 compare with California for truck crashes?
Per 100,000 residents, San Diego County has 17.6 truck crashes a year; California has 33.2.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in ZIP 92020?
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.