ZIP 97351 (Independence, OR) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 97351: 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 |
Polk County sits below Oregon 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 for every 100 truck crashes, against 3.9 across Oregon.
Overview
Police reported 291 crashes involving commercial trucks in Polk County since 2015: 127 people were injured and 16 were killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 14 days.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in January (11.0% of the year) and are lowest in November (4.1%).
November through March accounts for 36.4% of truck crashes here, compared with 45.1% in Oregon.
More truck crashes happen at 7–8 am than at any other hour (11.7%).
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 4.5% of truck crashes, compared with 13.3% in Oregon.
Where crashes happen
Fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 97351 since 2015 were spread across roads: I-5 (2), SR-22 (2), CR-CENTURY Dr Frontage (1), CR-CORVALLIS Rd (1) and CR-DELANEY Rd (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
5 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 1.7% share (Oregon: 2.0%).
Route planning tips for ZIP 97351 fleets
- Plan January schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Polk County.
- The morning rush (6–10 am) holds 33.3% of truck crashes here, more than Oregon; 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.
Reporting to FMCSA was incomplete in 2015; rates and comparisons skip those years.
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 | 2 |
| SR-22 | 2 |
| CR-CENTURY Dr Frontage | 1 |
| CR-CORVALLIS Rd | 1 |
| CR-DELANEY Rd | 1 |
| River Rd S | 1 |
| SR-164 | 1 |
| SR-51 | 1 |
| SR-99 | 1 |
| SR-99W | 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 97351 at a glance
| Population | 11,454 |
| Density | 85 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $88,519 |
| Median home value | $397,831 |
| Home ownership | 57% |
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 |
In the 1990s about 76 truck crashes a year were reported; in the 2020s, about 23. Reporting coverage also changed between these periods. Fatal large-truck crashes: 1.0 a year in 2016–19, 1.6 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 97351
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 97351?
Since 2015, 291 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Polk County (127 injured, 16 killed).
When do most truck crashes happen in ZIP 97351?
The worst month is January: 11.0% of truck crashes in Polk County happen then.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in ZIP 97351?
Since 2015, Polk County has reported 5 garbage-truck crashes, or 1.7% of its truck crashes.
How does ZIP 97351 compare with Oregon for truck crashes?
Per 100,000 residents, Polk County has 29.2 truck crashes a year; Oregon has 41.0.
How can I plan a safer truck route in ZIP 97351?
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.