2,354 CRASHES IN
IOWA, IA
2015

Motor vehicle occupants accounted for the vast majority of casualties, with 8 motorists killed and 810 injured in 2015. Among vulnerable road users, one pedestrian was killed and 25 were injured. While no cyclists were killed, 20 sustained injuries.

Crash frequency in 2015 peaked during the weekday afternoon commute. Thursday was the busiest day for crashes with 389 incidents, and the most common time for a crash was the 3 p.m. hour, which saw 214 events. Overall, crashes were more frequent on weekdays compared to weekends, with 1,560 crashes (66.3% of the total) occurring during daylight hours.

Of the 2,354 crashes reported, the majority (70.8%) resulted in no injuries. However, 688 crashes, or 29.2% of the total, involved at least one injury, ranging from possible to fatal. The data documents 9 distinct fatal crashes, which resulted in a total of 10 fatalities, as a single crash event can involve more than one death.

Severity is per crash event (most severe injury). 9 fatal crash events resulted in 10 persons killed.

Following too closely was a leading contributing factor, cited in 176 crashes (7.5%), followed by failure to yield the right-of-way from a stop sign (169 crashes, 7.2%). Collisions involving animals were also significant, accounting for 168 crashes. Other notable factors included running off the road (126 crashes) and failure to yield while making a left turn (125 crashes).

The majority of crashes occurred under ideal environmental conditions. Approximately 61.8% of crashes (1,454) happened in clear weather, 64.9% (1,527) on dry road surfaces, and 66.3% (1,560) during daylight hours. Adverse conditions were less frequent, with snow accounting for 159 crashes and rain for 152 crashes.

The 26-34 age group was most frequently involved in crashes, accounting for 829 of the 5,217 persons recorded, followed by the 16-20 age group (785 persons) and the 21-25 age group (725 persons). Among the 4,299 vehicles involved, Chevrolet was the most common make with 915 vehicles, followed by Ford with 652 and Dodge with 295.

The leading major causes of crashes included following too close (176 incidents), failure to yield right-of-way from a stop sign (169 incidents), and collisions with animals (168 incidents). Other significant causes were running off the road to the left (126 incidents), failure to yield while making a left turn (125 incidents), and driving too fast for conditions (120 incidents).

The most common first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in traffic, which occurred in 1,589 crashes, representing 67.5% of all incidents. Collisions with animals were the second most frequent event, with 159 cases. Other notable events included striking a parked motor vehicle (92 cases) and collisions with fixed objects like utility poles (55 cases).

Crashes were split between intersections and non-intersection road segments. Approximately 46.0% of crashes (1,082) occurred at or were related to an intersection, with four-way intersections being the most common site (851 crashes). Non-junction segments of roadway accounted for 969 crashes, or 41.2% of the total.

Passenger cars were the most prevalent vehicle type involved in crashes, accounting for 2,317 of the 4,299 vehicles (53.9%). Sport utility vehicles (SUVs) were the second most common with 844 vehicles (19.6%), followed by four-tire light trucks with 545 vehicles (12.7%). Commercial tractor-trailers were involved in 69 incidents (1.6%), and motorcycles were involved in 53 incidents (1.2%).

Analysis of traffic controls at the vehicle level indicates that a majority of vehicles were involved in crashes where no traffic control devices were present (2,311 vehicles). Traffic signals were the most common form of control present, noted for 1,185 vehicles involved in crashes. Stop signs were a factor for 507 vehicles involved in collisions.

The front of the vehicle was the most common area of initial impact, recorded for 1,208 vehicles, representing 28.1% of all vehicles with damage data. Rear impacts, indicative of rear-end collisions, were noted for 502 vehicles (11.7%). Front corner impacts (driver and passenger side combined) were also frequent, accounting for 802 vehicles.

Driver impairment was a factor in at least 73 crashes. Of these, alcohol was the sole impairing substance in 65 incidents. An additional 6 crashes involved both alcohol and drugs, while 2 involved only drugs. These impairment-related crashes represent 3.1% of all crashes in the dataset.

Crash incidents were predominantly located in the county's largest municipalities. The city of Waterloo accounted for the highest number of crashes with 1,456 incidents. Cedar Falls reported the second-highest total with 600 crashes, followed by Evansdale with 66 crashes.

The vast majority of crashes occurred on paved roadways, accounting for 2,332 incidents. Crashes on unpaved surfaces like gravel or dirt roads were rare, with only 14 such incidents reported, making up approximately 0.6% of the total where surface type was recorded.

In cases where a roadway factor was noted as a contributor, adverse surface conditions such as wet or icy roads were the most common, cited in 321 incidents. Work zones were identified as a contributing factor in 14 crashes, while debris in the roadway was a factor in 5 crashes.

While most drivers were recorded as 'apparently normal,' a number of other conditions were noted. Driving under the influence of alcohol was the most frequently cited condition with 77 instances. Emotional state (e.g., depressed, angry) was noted for 42 drivers, and being asleep or fatigued was recorded for 20 drivers.

The estimated cost of property damage was most frequently in the $1,500 to $7,500 range, which applied to 1,709 crashes, or 72.6% of the total. A smaller portion, 539 crashes (22.9%), resulted in damages between $7,500 and $25,000. High-damage crashes, with costs exceeding $25,000, accounted for 31 incidents (1.3%).

Rear-end collisions were the most common crash type, accounting for 578 incidents or 24.6% of all crashes. Broadside (front-to-side) collisions were nearly as frequent, with 552 incidents (23.4%). Single-vehicle, non-collision events such as running off the road or rollovers also made up a significant portion, with 543 incidents (23.1%).

The most common pre-crash action for vehicles was moving straight ahead, which was the case for 2,547 vehicles (59.2% of total). Turning left was the second-most common maneuver leading to a crash, recorded for 418 vehicles (9.7%). A notable number of crashes involved legally parked vehicles (235 incidents).

For the 47 non-motorists involved in crashes, the most common action was entering or crossing the roadway, which was recorded in 32 instances. A smaller number of incidents occurred while the non-motorist was moving along the roadway with traffic (6 instances) or approaching or leaving a vehicle (2 instances).

The vast majority of individuals involved in crashes were drivers, accounting for 4,952 of the 5,217 people recorded (94.9%). Passengers made up the next largest group with 218 individuals (4.2%). Non-motorists, including 26 pedestrians and 20 bicyclists, represented a smaller portion of those involved.

Among all persons involved in crashes, 10 suffered fatal injuries and 48 sustained serious injuries. An additional 280 persons had minor injuries, and 527 had possible injuries. The data shows that for every fatal injury, there were approximately 85 other individuals who sustained some level of injury.

Based on the available data for 593 individuals, the use of a shoulder and lap belt was the most common form of safety equipment, reported for 524 people (88.4%). Conversely, 43 individuals (7.3%) were recorded as using no safety equipment at all. Child safety seats were documented in 12 instances, and motorcycle helmets in 9 instances.

Two-vehicle collisions were the most common scenario, accounting for 1,638 crashes, or 69.6% of all incidents. Single-vehicle crashes were the next most frequent type, with 575 incidents (24.4%). Crashes involving three or more vehicles were less common, with 121 three-vehicle incidents and 17 four-vehicle incidents reported.