ZIP 98230 (Blaine, WA) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 98230: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Whatcom 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
13 of 550 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Whatcom County compares with Washington
Whatcom County against Washington and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Whatcom County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Whatcom County | Washington | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 20.0 | 25.8 | 49.7 | 22% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 3.1 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 9% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.13 | 0.18 | 0.49 | 28% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.3% | 2.2% | 2.3% | same |
| On snow, slush or ice | 8.1% | 9.7% | 6.2% | 17% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 20.3% | 24.8% | 23.7% | 18% below the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 22.2% | 20.2% | 13.8% | 1.1× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 39.1% | 43.8% | 41.9% | 11% below the state |
| After dark | 24.9% | 25.2% | 24.8% | same |
Whatcom County sits below Washington on crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and injuries per crash. It runs above Washington on in rain, sleet or snow.
What stands out in Whatcom County: January the month with the most truck crashes: 10.2% of the year's total.
Overview
Whatcom County has recorded 550 truck crashes since 2015, with 73 people injured and 16 killed.
That averages about one truck crash every 8 days in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
January has the most truck crashes, 10.2% of the yearly total, while February has the fewest (4.5%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 39.1% of truck crashes, vs 43.8% for Washington.
The busiest hour is 8–9 am, with 7.6% of truck crashes.
8.1% of truck crashes here happened on snow, slush or ice, against 9.7% across Washington.
Where crashes happen
Fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 98230 since 2015 were spread across roads: SR-543 (2) and SR-548 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
13 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 2.4% share (Washington: 2.2%).
Route planning tips for ZIP 98230 fleets
- Build extra time into January routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- 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 Whatcom County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| SR-543 | 2 |
| SR-548 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Whatcom County) |
|---|---|
| Sr-539*003.50 | 3 |
| Sr-539*008.57 | 3 |
| Sr-546*003.00 | 3 |
| Sr-9*086.00 | 3 |
| E Sunset Dr Blk 1800 | 2 |
| Everson Goshen Rd Blk 6200 | 2 |
| Everson Goshen Rd/E Smith Rd | 2 |
| Everson Goshen Road/Central Road | 2 |
ZIP 98230 at a glance
| Population | 18,744 |
| Density | 170 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $86,623 |
| Median home value | $500,748 |
| Home ownership | 80% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Whatcom 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 | 27 | — | 1.7 |
| 2000s | 40 | +44% | 1.0 |
| 2010s | 44 | +11% | 1.2 |
| 2020s | 48 | +8% | 1.4 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 27 a year in the 1990s and 48 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 1.8 a year in 2016–19 and 1.4 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 98230
How many truck crashes happen in ZIP 98230?
Whatcom County has had 550 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 73 people and killing 16.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in ZIP 98230?
Truck crashes in Whatcom County peak in January, with 10.2% of the year's crashes.
Are garbage truck crashes common in ZIP 98230?
13 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Whatcom County since 2015, 2.4% of all truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in ZIP 98230 compare with Washington?
Per 100,000 residents, Whatcom County has 20.0 truck crashes a year; Washington has 25.8.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in ZIP 98230?
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.