ZIP 97304 (Salem, OR) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 97304: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Polk 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
5 of 291 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Polk County compares with Oregon
Polk County against Oregon and the US, 2016–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Polk County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2016–2025) | Polk County | Oregon | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 29.2 | 41.0 | 49.7 | 29% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 6.1 | 3.9 | 3.4 | 1.6× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.45 | 0.35 | 0.49 | 1.3× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 1.9% | 2.0% | 2.3% | same |
| On snow, slush or ice | 4.5% | 13.3% | 6.2% | 66% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 33.3% | 24.2% | 23.7% | 1.4× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 11.7% | 18.8% | 13.8% | 38% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 36.4% | 45.1% | 41.9% | 19% below the state |
| After dark | 15.5% | 25.3% | 24.8% | 39% below the state |
Compared with Oregon, Polk County is lower on crashes per 100k residents / yr, on snow, slush or ice and in rain, sleet or snow. Where it is higher: deaths per 100 crashes, injuries per crash and morning rush (6–10 am).
The headline for Polk County: 6.1 deaths per 100 truck crashes, vs 3.9 in Oregon.
Overview
Polk County has recorded 291 truck crashes since 2015, with 127 people injured and 16 killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 14 days.
When crashes happen
January has the most truck crashes, 11.0% of the yearly total, while November has the fewest (4.1%).
November through March accounts for 36.4% of truck crashes here, compared with 45.1% in Oregon.
The busiest hour is 7–8 am, with 11.7% of truck crashes.
4.5% of truck crashes here happened on snow, slush or ice, against 13.3% across Oregon.
Where crashes happen
Fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 97304 since 2015 were spread across roads: I-5 (3), SR-99 (3), SR-22 (2), Portland Rd Ne (1) and River Rd S (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
5 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 1.7% share (Oregon: 2.0%).
Route planning tips for ZIP 97304 fleets
- Plan January schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Polk County.
- 33.3% of truck crashes happen between 6 and 10 am, above Oregon; 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.
Crash reporting for 2015 is incomplete; those years are shown in grey and not used for rates.
Truck crashes by year: all trucks vs garbage trucks
Seasonality: when trucks crash in Polk County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-5 | 3 |
| SR-99 | 3 |
| SR-22 | 2 |
| Portland Rd Ne | 1 |
| River Rd S | 1 |
| SR-154 | 1 |
| SR-221 | 1 |
| SR-223 | 1 |
| SR-22W | 1 |
| SR-51 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Polk County) |
|---|---|
| Hwy 99W & Bethel Rd | 5 |
| Clow Corner Rd & Riddell Rd | 3 |
| Hwy 22 & Perrydale Rd | 3 |
| Hwy 22 .45 E Hwy 99W On Ramp | 3 |
| Hwy 99 & Clow Corner Rd | 3 |
| Hwy 99 & Rickreall Rd | 3 |
| Hwy 99W & Clow Corner | 3 |
| Hwy 99W & Parker Rd | 3 |
ZIP 97304 at a glance
| Population | 34,879 |
| Density | 237 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $98,031 |
| Median home value | $507,259 |
| Home ownership | 64% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Polk 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 | 76 | — | 1.2 |
| 2000s | 17 | -78% | 0.7 |
| 2010s | 22 | +35% | 1.0 |
| 2020s | 23 | +4% | 1.6 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 76 a year in the 1990s and 23 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 1.0 a year in 2016–19 and 1.6 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 97304
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 97304?
Polk County has had 291 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 127 people and killing 16.
When do most truck crashes happen in ZIP 97304?
Truck crashes in Polk County peak in January, with 11.0% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in ZIP 97304?
Since 2015, Polk County has reported 5 garbage-truck crashes, or 1.7% of its truck crashes.
How does ZIP 97304 compare with Oregon for truck crashes?
The yearly rate is 29.2 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in Polk County, vs 41.0 for Oregon.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in ZIP 97304?
Use the free Route Planner: enter your stops to get a risk score, safer alternatives and the low bridges on your route.
Crash reporting to FMCSA was incomplete in 2015; those years are greyed out and left out of rates. 2026 is a partial year. Updated October 2026.