ZIP 98541 (Elma, WA) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 98541: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Grays Harbor 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
8 of 240 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Grays Harbor County compares with Washington
Grays Harbor County against Washington and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Grays Harbor County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Grays Harbor County | Washington | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 28.6 | 25.8 | 49.7 | 1.1× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 7.2 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 2.1× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.17 | 0.18 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 3.1% | 2.2% | 2.3% | 1.4× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 4.9% | 9.7% | 6.2% | 49% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 29.1% | 24.8% | 23.7% | 1.2× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 18.4% | 20.2% | 13.8% | 9% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 49.8% | 43.8% | 41.9% | 1.1× the state |
| After dark | 20.6% | 25.2% | 24.8% | 18% below the state |
Grays Harbor County sits below Washington on on snow, slush or ice, in rain, sleet or snow and after dark. It stands out for higher crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and garbage-truck share.
Grays Harbor County at a glance: 7.2 deaths per 100 truck crashes, vs 3.4 in Washington.
Overview
Grays Harbor County has recorded 240 truck crashes since 2015, with 39 people injured and 17 killed.
That averages about one truck crash every 16 days in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
The worst month is February with 11.7% of truck crashes; the quietest is July at 4.6%.
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 49.8% of truck crashes, vs 43.8% for Washington.
More truck crashes happen at 1–2 pm than at any other hour (11.2%).
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 4.9% of truck crashes, compared with 9.7% in Washington.
Where crashes happen
Roads with fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 98541 since 2015: SR-8 (2), CR-ELMA-HICKLIN Rd (1) and SR-108 (1). No single road stands out.
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 8 of the truck crashes here, or 3.3%, compared with 2.2% in Washington.
Route planning tips for ZIP 98541 fleets
- Plan February schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Grays Harbor County.
- 29.1% of truck crashes happen between 6 and 10 am, above Washington; 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
Sources: the FMCSA crash file for all reported truck crashes and NHTSA FARS for fatal crashes with a large truck. Every statement here comes straight from those numbers.
Reporting was incomplete in 2024, so those years are greyed out and left out of rates and comparisons.
Truck crashes by year: all trucks vs garbage trucks
Seasonality: when trucks crash in Grays Harbor County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| SR-8 | 2 |
| CR-ELMA-HICKLIN Rd | 1 |
| SR-108 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Grays Harbor County) |
|---|---|
| Sr-101*076.00 | 4 |
| Sr-101*134.00 | 4 |
| Sr-12*018.10 | 3 |
| Heron St/H St | 2 |
| Heron Street/G Street | 2 |
| Kirkpatrick Rd/Bunker Rd | 2 |
| Sr-101*070.50 | 2 |
| Sr-101*072.00 | 2 |
ZIP 98541 at a glance
| Population | 10,810 |
| Density | 21 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $78,816 |
| Median home value | $384,971 |
| Home ownership | 79% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Grays Harbor 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 | 18 | — | 1.6 |
| 2000s | 21 | +18% | 1.2 |
| 2010s | 20 | -5% | 0.6 |
| 2020s | 24 | +20% | 1.8 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 18 to 24. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. Fatal large-truck crashes: 0.8 a year in 2016–19, 1.8 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 98541
How many truck accidents are there in ZIP 98541?
Since 2015, 240 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Grays Harbor County (39 injured, 17 killed).
Which month has the most truck crashes in ZIP 98541?
Truck crashes in Grays Harbor County peak in February, with 11.7% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 98541?
Garbage trucks were involved in 8 reported crashes in Grays Harbor County since 2015 (3.3% of truck crashes).
How do truck crashes in ZIP 98541 compare with Washington?
Per 100,000 residents, Grays Harbor County has 28.6 truck crashes a year; Washington has 25.8.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in ZIP 98541?
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 2024; those years are greyed out and left out of rates. 2026 is a partial year. Updated October 2026.