343 CRASHES IN
IOWA, IA
2015

In 2015, motorists accounted for all 4 fatalities and the vast majority of injuries, with 119 motorists injured. There were no pedestrian fatalities or injuries reported. Two cyclists were injured in crashes, but none were killed.

Crash frequency in Buchanan County peaked on Fridays, which saw 61 incidents in 2015. The most common time for crashes was the 6 p.m. hour, with 33 events recorded. While daylight hours accounted for the largest single block of crashes with 171 incidents (49.9%), a notable number of crashes, 75, occurred in dark conditions.

Out of 343 total crashes, the majority (74.9%, or 257 incidents) resulted in no injuries. Crashes involving some level of injury accounted for 82 incidents, including 10 with serious injuries and 25 with minor injuries. There were 4 fatal crashes during this period, which resulted in a total of 4 fatalities.

The most frequently cited contributing factor for crashes was 'Animal,' accounting for 98 incidents or 28.6% of the total. Following this, 'Lost Control' was noted in 27 crashes (7.9%), and 'Followed too close' was a factor in 25 crashes (7.3%). Other significant factors included 'Driving too fast for conditions' (22 crashes) and failure to yield the right-of-way from a stop sign (17 crashes).

A substantial portion of crashes occurred in ideal driving conditions, with 171 incidents (49.9%) happening in daylight, 139 (40.5%) in clear weather, and 159 (46.4%) on dry road surfaces. Adverse conditions were also present in a number of incidents; 34 crashes occurred on wet roads and 31 on snowy surfaces. Similarly, 75 crashes took place in dark conditions.

The 16-20 age group was the most frequently involved in crashes, with 98 individuals recorded, closely followed by the 26-34 age group with 97 individuals. Analysis of the 512 vehicles involved shows that Chevrolet (including 'CHEV' and 'CHEVROLET' listings) was the most common make with 147 vehicles. Ford was the second most frequent with 89 vehicles, followed by Dodge (including 'DODG' and 'DODGE') with 44 vehicles.

The primary major cause attributed to crashes was interactions with animals, cited in 98 incidents. 'Lost Control' was the second most common cause, contributing to 27 crashes, followed by 'Followed too close' with 25 crashes. 'Driving too fast for conditions' (22 crashes) and 'Failure to yield right of way from a stop sign' (17 crashes) were also leading causes.

The most common first harmful event was a 'Collision with a vehicle in traffic,' which occurred in 126 crashes. The second most frequent event was a 'Collision with an animal,' recorded in 98 incidents. Collisions with fixed objects, such as ditches (38 crashes) and utility poles (8 crashes), were also common, while 16 crashes involved an overturn or rollover as the first harmful event.

A significant number of crashes, 151, occurred at non-junction locations along a road segment. Intersections were also a common crash site, with 52 incidents at four-way intersections and 28 at T-intersections. In total, crashes at or related to intersections accounted for at least 86 incidents, while those at non-intersection locations accounted for at least 151.

Passenger cars were the most common vehicle type involved in crashes, accounting for 243 of the vehicles. Light trucks and pickups were the next most frequent with 96 vehicles, followed by sport utility vehicles with 87. Commercial vehicles were also involved, with 20 tractor/semi-trailers recorded in incidents, while 4 motorcycles were involved in crashes.

The majority of crashes occurred where no traffic controls were present, with this condition noted in 304 instances. Locations with stop signs accounted for 49 crashes, and those with traffic signals saw 42 crashes. Yield signs were present in 4 crashes.

The front of the vehicle was the most common area of impact, recorded as the most damaged area in 125 instances. Rear impacts were also frequent, with 63 vehicles sustaining the most damage to the rear, indicative of rear-end collisions. Side impacts were less common, with 19 vehicles damaged on the driver's side middle and 18 on the passenger's side middle.

Crash data within Buchanan County shows a concentration of incidents in the city of Independence, which recorded 102 crashes. Other municipalities reported significantly fewer incidents, with Hazleton recording 9 crashes and Jesup recording 6. The remaining crashes were distributed across several other towns in smaller numbers.

The vast majority of crashes, 311 out of 343, occurred on paved roadways. Crashes on unpaved surfaces such as gravel or dirt roads accounted for 32 incidents, representing 9.3% of the total for the year.

Roadway factors were cited as a contributor in a minority of crashes. The most common factor was 'Surface condition,' such as wet or icy roads, which was noted in 41 incidents. Other cited factors were infrequent, including 'Slippery, loose or worn surface' in 3 crashes and a 'Work Zone' related factor in 1 crash.

Among drivers where a condition other than 'apparently normal' was noted, driving under the influence of alcohol was the most frequent, recorded for 8 drivers. Medical conditions such as seizures were cited for 5 drivers, and emotional states like depression or anger were noted for 4 drivers. Additionally, 2 drivers were recorded as being asleep or fatigued at the time of their crash.

The estimated cost of property damage was most often in the $1,500 to $7,500 range, which applied to 260 crashes. A smaller number of crashes, 72, resulted in damages estimated between $7,500 and $25,000. High-damage crashes, with costs exceeding $25,000, were rare, accounting for only 4 incidents (1.2% of the total).

The most common type of crash was a non-collision event involving a single vehicle, which accounted for 151 incidents, or 44% of the total. Among multi-vehicle crashes, rear-end collisions were the most frequent, with 60 incidents (17.5%). Broadside collisions were the next most common type, occurring in 35 crashes (10.2%).

Analysis of pre-crash actions indicates that the majority of involved vehicles, 292, were moving straight ahead. A much smaller number of vehicles were in the process of turning left (39 vehicles) or were stopped in traffic (24 vehicles) prior to the collision. Additionally, 26 vehicles were legally parked when they were involved in a crash.

Of the 639 people involved in crashes, the vast majority were drivers, accounting for 600 individuals. Passengers made up the next largest group with 37 individuals. The remaining 2 individuals involved were bicyclists.

Among the 639 individuals involved in crashes, 125 people sustained some level of injury or were killed. This includes 4 fatalities, 16 serious injuries, 36 minor injuries, and 69 possible injuries. The remaining individuals were recorded with no apparent injury.

Based on the limited data where safety equipment use was recorded, 99 occupants were using a shoulder and lap belt. In 15 cases, no safety equipment was used. This represents 13% of the 115 individuals for whom restraint use was specified.

Single-vehicle crashes were the most common type, accounting for 188 incidents, or 54.8% of the total. Crashes involving two vehicles were also frequent, with 143 incidents recorded. Multi-vehicle pile-ups were rare, with only 10 crashes involving three vehicles and 2 crashes involving four vehicles.