ZIP 97603 (Klamath Falls, OR) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 97603: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Klamath 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
7 of 975 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Klamath County compares with Oregon
Klamath County against Oregon and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Klamath County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Klamath County | Oregon | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 117.6 | 41.0 | 49.7 | 2.9× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 5.2 | 3.9 | 3.4 | 1.3× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.35 | 0.35 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 0.7% | 2.0% | 2.3% | 67% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 55.1% | 13.3% | 6.2% | 4.2× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 26.6% | 24.2% | 23.7% | 1.1× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 26.3% | 18.8% | 13.8% | 1.4× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 67.8% | 45.1% | 41.9% | 1.5× the state |
| After dark | 35.4% | 25.3% | 24.8% | 1.4× the state |
Klamath County has lower values than Oregon for garbage-truck share. Where it is higher: crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and on snow, slush or ice.
Klamath County at a glance: 55.1% share of truck crashes on snow, slush or ice (Oregon: 13.3%).
Overview
Police reported 975 crashes involving commercial trucks in Klamath County since 2015: 345 people were injured and 55 were killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 4 days.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in January (17.2% of the year) and are lowest in August (3.4%).
November through March accounts for 67.8% of truck crashes here, compared with 45.1% in Oregon.
By time of day, 9–10 am stands out with 8.1% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 55.1% of truck crashes, compared with 13.3% in Oregon.
Where crashes happen
SR-39 leads within 10 miles of ZIP 97603 with 2 fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015. Next come Pacific Terr (1), S 6th St (1) and SR-140 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 7 of the truck crashes here, or 0.7%, compared with 2.0% in Oregon.
Route planning tips for ZIP 97603 fleets
- Build extra time into January routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Where you can, review stops along SR-39; it has the most fatal large-truck crashes nearby.
- Morning starts matter: 26.6% of truck crashes fall between 6 and 10 am, higher than Oregon.
- 55.1% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice, above Oregon; plan winter equipment checks before the season.
- 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 Klamath County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| SR-39 | 2 |
| Pacific Terr | 1 |
| S 6th St | 1 |
| SR-140 | 1 |
| SR-161 | 1 |
| US-97 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Klamath County) |
|---|---|
| Hwy 97 & Hwy 138 | 11 |
| Hwy 97 & Silver Lake Rd | 7 |
| Hwy 97 .62 S Crystal Springs Rd | 7 |
| Hwy 97 .12 N Merritt Springs Rd | 6 |
| Hwy 97 .13 S Merritt Springs Rd | 6 |
| Hwy 97 .14 S Hackett Dr | 6 |
| Hwy 97 1.06 N Walker Springs Rd | 6 |
| Hwy 97 1.46 N Michael Rd | 6 |
ZIP 97603 at a glance
| Population | 33,222 |
| Density | 38 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $66,937 |
| Median home value | $274,779 |
| Home ownership | 70% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Klamath 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 | 72 | — | 5.2 |
| 2000s | 66 | -8% | 4.3 |
| 2010s | 66 | +0% | 1.6 |
| 2020s | 94 | +41% | 4.0 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 72 to 94. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. Fatal large-truck crashes: 2.2 a year in 2016–19, 4.0 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 97603
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 97603?
Since 2015, 975 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Klamath County (345 injured, 55 killed).
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in ZIP 97603?
SR-39 had 2 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 97603 since 2015, more than any other road.
Which month has the most truck crashes in ZIP 97603?
Truck crashes in Klamath County peak in January, with 17.2% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in ZIP 97603?
7 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Klamath County since 2015, 0.7% of all truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in ZIP 97603 compare with Oregon?
Per 100,000 residents, Klamath County has 117.6 truck crashes a year; Oregon has 41.0.
How can I plan a safer truck route in ZIP 97603?
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.