247 CRASHES IN
IOWA, IA
2015

Motorists comprised the vast majority of individuals killed or injured in crashes. A total of 5 motorists were killed and 89 were injured. Additionally, one pedestrian and one cyclist were reported as injured during the period.

Crashes occurred most frequently on Fridays, with 44 incidents reported. The peak time for collisions was the 7 a.m. hour, which saw 19 crashes. Analysis of lighting conditions shows that 127 crashes (51.4%) happened during daylight, while 65 crashes occurred in dark conditions, either on unlighted (54) or lighted (11) roadways.

The majority of crashes, 184 out of 247 (74.5%), resulted in no injuries. Crashes involving injuries of any severity totaled 63 incidents. This includes 4 fatal crashes, which resulted in a total of 5 fatalities, indicating that one crash involved multiple deaths.

Severity is per crash event (most severe injury). 4 fatal crash events resulted in 5 persons killed.

The leading contributing factor identified in crash reports was animals, cited in 60 crashes or 24.3% of the total. The next most common factors were losing control of the vehicle (39 crashes, 15.8%) and running off the road while driving straight (22 crashes, 8.9%).

Over half of all crashes, 136 out of 247 (55.1%), occurred on dry road surfaces. Similarly, 127 crashes (51.4%) took place in daylight and 108 (43.7%) in clear weather. Adverse conditions were also a factor, with 22 crashes on snow-covered roads, 22 on wet surfaces, and 65 incidents occurring in darkness.

The most frequently involved vehicle makes were Chevrolet (67 vehicles) and Ford (65 vehicles). Analysis of persons involved in crashes shows that the 16-20 age group was the most represented, with 74 individuals. This was followed by the 26-34 age group with 70 individuals and the 35-44 age group with 66 individuals.

The most frequently cited major cause for crashes was an animal in the roadway, accounting for 60 incidents. Losing control was the second leading cause with 39 crashes, followed by running off the road on a straight segment with 22 crashes. Failure to yield from a stop sign was cited in 16 crashes.

The most common initial event in a crash sequence was a collision with another vehicle in traffic, which occurred in 92 incidents. The second most frequent event was a collision with an animal, recorded in 59 crashes. Collisions with a fixed object, such as a ditch (20) or an overturn/rollover (13), were also significant.

The majority of crashes, 145 incidents or 58.7% of the total, occurred at non-junction locations along a road segment. Intersections accounted for 41 crashes, with 29 of those happening at four-way intersections and 10 at T-intersections.

Passenger cars were the most common vehicle type involved in crashes, with 143 units. Sport utility vehicles (72 units) and four-tire light trucks or pickups (64 units) were also frequently involved. Additionally, 36 tractor/semi-trailer trucks were involved in collisions.

A large majority of incidents, 260 instances, were recorded as occurring where no traffic controls were present. In contrast, 40 incidents occurred at locations with stop signs, and 13 took place at intersections controlled by traffic signals.

Frontal impacts were the most common type of vehicle damage, with 81 vehicles sustaining primary damage to the front area. An additional 35 vehicles were most damaged at the rear, suggesting rear-end collisions, while 60 vehicles sustained primary damage to the driver or passenger side.

The city of Atlantic recorded the highest volume of crashes with 78 incidents. The next highest count was in Anita, with 8 crashes. Other municipalities like Lewis and Griswold each reported 4 crashes.

The vast majority of crashes, 237 out of 247, occurred on paved roadways. Ten crashes, representing 4.0% of the total, took place on unpaved surfaces such as gravel or dirt roads.

Among roadway-related contributing factors, adverse surface conditions such as wet or icy roads were cited in 32 crashes. Debris on the roadway was noted as a factor in 4 crashes, and a slippery or worn surface was cited in 3 incidents.

Among drivers for whom a condition other than 'apparently normal' was noted, 6 were identified as asleep or fatigued. An additional 5 drivers were recorded as being under the influence of alcohol, and 3 had a medical condition.

The most common estimated property damage cost fell within the $1,500 to $7,500 range, which applied to 162 crashes. There were 71 crashes with damages estimated between $7,500 and $25,000, and 11 crashes with damages exceeding $25,000.

Single-vehicle crashes, categorized as non-collision events, were the most prevalent type, accounting for 121 incidents or 49% of all crashes. The next most common manners of collision were rear-end impacts (31 crashes, 12.6%) and broadside collisions (27 crashes, 10.9%).

The predominant pre-crash action for vehicles involved was moving straight ahead, which was recorded for 240 vehicles. The next most common actions were turning left, noted for 19 vehicles, and being legally parked, noted for 14 vehicles.

Of the 461 individuals involved in crashes, the vast majority, 427, were drivers. The count also included 32 passengers, one pedestrian, and one bicyclist.

Across all 461 people involved in crashes, 5 sustained fatal injuries and 91 sustained non-fatal injuries. The injuries were categorized as serious for 15 people, minor for 34, and possible for 42.

For the subset of 83 occupants where safety equipment use was documented, 14 individuals (16.9%) were recorded as using no restraints. In contrast, 62 individuals were noted as using both a shoulder and lap belt.

Single-vehicle crashes were the most frequent type, with 143 incidents making up 57.9% of the total. Two-vehicle collisions were the second most common, accounting for 96 incidents or 38.9% of all crashes.