945 CRASHES IN
IOWA, IA
2015

In 2015, motorists accounted for all 3 fatalities and the vast majority of injuries, with 376 motorists injured in crashes. There were no fatalities among vulnerable road users. However, 11 cyclists and 7 pedestrians sustained injuries in traffic collisions during this period.

Crash frequency in Clinton County peaked on Fridays, with 162 incidents reported in 2015. The most common time for crashes was the 5 p.m. hour, which saw 77 collisions. Analysis of lighting conditions shows that a majority of crashes, 593 in total (62.8%), occurred during daylight hours.

Of the 945 total crashes, 68.3% (645 incidents) resulted in no injuries, while the remaining 31.7% involved at least one possible, minor, serious, or fatal injury. There were 3 fatal crashes recorded, which resulted in a total of 3 fatalities. Additionally, 22 crashes were classified as causing serious injuries and 96 resulted in minor injuries.

The most common contributing factor identified in Clinton County crashes was the presence of an animal on the roadway, cited in 127 incidents (13.4% of the total). Other leading factors included failure to yield the right-of-way from a stop sign (88 crashes), losing control of the vehicle (76 crashes), and following too closely (63 crashes). Various forms of driver distraction were noted in a smaller number of cases, including other interior distraction (14 cases) and manual operation of an electronic device (5 cases).

The majority of crashes in 2015 occurred in ideal driving conditions, with 62.8% (593 crashes) happening in daylight, 62.2% (588 crashes) on dry road surfaces, and 56.1% (530 crashes) in clear weather. Adverse weather was a factor in a smaller subset of incidents, with rain present in 61 crashes and snow in 29. Similarly, non-dry road surfaces were recorded in a significant minority of crashes, including 112 on wet roads and 55 on snow-covered roads.

Among all 2,012 persons involved in crashes, the 26-34 age group was the most represented, with 290 individuals. The 35-44 age group (254 individuals) and the 65+ age group (248 individuals) were also frequently involved. Analysis of the 1,596 vehicles in these crashes shows that Chevrolet (364 vehicles), Ford (236 vehicles), and Dodge (130 vehicles) were the most common makes involved.

The leading major cause of crashes as coded by Iowa DOT was 'Animal,' which was attributed to 127 incidents. Failure to yield the right-of-way was a significant issue, with 88 crashes caused by failing to yield from a stop sign and 51 by failing to yield while making a left turn. Other prominent causes included drivers losing control of their vehicle (76 crashes) and following too closely (63 crashes).

The most common first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in traffic, which occurred in 515 crashes. Collisions with animals were the second most frequent event, recorded in 127 incidents. Run-off-road events were also common, with the first harmful event being a collision with a ditch in 60 crashes and an overturn or rollover in 31 crashes.

Crashes were most likely to occur on non-junction road segments, which accounted for 460 incidents (48.7% of all crashes). Four-way intersections were the most common crash location among junctions, representing 239 crashes (25.3% of the total). T-intersections accounted for another 52 crashes (5.5%).

Passenger cars were the most common vehicle type involved in crashes, accounting for 744 of the vehicles recorded. Light trucks and SUVs were also frequently involved, with 289 pickups or panel trucks and 279 sport utility vehicles documented. The data also includes 38 motorcycles and 36 tractor/semi-trailers among the vehicles involved in collisions.

In a majority of incidents, no traffic controls were present, a situation recorded for 937 vehicles involved in crashes. Where traffic controls were present, traffic signals were the most common, noted for 276 vehicles. Stop signs were the next most frequent control device, present for 197 vehicles.

The front of the vehicle was the most common area of impact, with 386 vehicles sustaining primary damage to the front. Front-corner impacts were also frequent, with 135 vehicles damaged on the front passenger side corner and 113 on the front driver side corner. Damage to the rear, indicative of rear-end collisions, was noted on 146 vehicles.

A total of 27 crashes, representing 2.9% of all incidents in Clinton County, involved a driver suspected of being under the influence. Of the drivers specifically flagged for impairment in the dataset, alcohol was suspected in 21 cases and drugs were suspected in 2 cases. These figures represent a minimum count, as impairment may not be detected or recorded in all relevant crashes.

Crash distribution across municipalities shows that the city of Clinton had the highest volume, with 599 recorded incidents. De Witt followed with 83 crashes, and Camanche had 25 crashes. Other towns such as Wheatland, Grand Mound, and Goose Lake each recorded 3 or fewer crashes during this period.

The vast majority of crashes occurred on paved roadways, which accounted for 894 incidents. A smaller number of crashes, 41 in total, took place on unpaved gravel or dirt roads. This represents 4.4% of crashes where the road surface type was specified.

In cases where a roadway factor was identified as contributing to a crash, 'Surface condition' such as wet or icy roads was the most cited factor, noted in 93 incidents. Other less common factors included a slippery or worn surface (6 incidents) and conditions related to a work zone (5 incidents). A specific roadway factor was identified in only a minority of the total crashes.

While most drivers were recorded as 'Apparently normal,' the most frequently noted alternative condition was driving under the influence of alcohol, recorded for 35 drivers. Fatigue was another key factor, with 12 drivers identified as asleep or fatigued. Medical issues were also present, including 9 drivers who experienced a seizure or other medical reaction.

Officer-estimated property damage costs were most frequently in the $1,500 to $7,500 range, which applied to 691 crashes (73.1% of the total). A significant number of crashes, 213 incidents (22.5%), resulted in more substantial damage estimated between $7,500 and $25,000. Only a small fraction of crashes, 8 incidents (0.8%), resulted in damage exceeding $25,000.

The most frequent type of crash was a non-collision event involving a single vehicle, such as running off the road or overturning, which accounted for 294 incidents (31.1%). Among multi-vehicle crashes, rear-end collisions were the most common, with 182 incidents (19.3%). Broadside, or front-to-side, collisions were also prevalent, making up 159 crashes (16.8%).

The most common pre-crash action for vehicles was moving essentially straight, which was the case for 882 vehicles. Turning left was the second most frequent maneuver, recorded for 175 vehicles prior to impact. A notable number of vehicles, 116, were legally parked when they were struck, while another 64 were stopped in traffic.

Among incidents involving pedestrians or cyclists, the most frequently recorded action was 'Entering or crossing roadway,' noted in 9 cases. Walking or riding along the roadway was the next most common circumstance, with 5 individuals moving with traffic and 2 moving against traffic.

Of the 2,012 individuals involved in crashes, the vast majority, 1,900 people (94.4%), were drivers of the vehicles. Passengers constituted a smaller group, with 94 individuals involved. The remaining involved persons were vulnerable road users, including 11 bicyclists and 7 pedestrians.

Across all 2,012 people involved in crashes, 3 individuals sustained fatal injuries and 26 had serious injuries. A larger number of people sustained less severe harm, including 122 with minor injuries and 246 with possible injuries. These numbers contribute to the 394 total injuries reported.

Among participants for whom safety equipment use was documented, 251 were recorded as using a shoulder and lap belt. A total of 24 individuals were noted as not using any safety restraints at the time of their crash. For riders of motorcycles or similar vehicles, 13 were using a DOT-compliant helmet.

The most common type of collision involved two vehicles, accounting for 582 crashes (61.6% of the total). Single-vehicle crashes were the next most frequent, with 330 incidents, representing 34.9% of all crashes. Crashes involving three or more vehicles were less common, with 33 such incidents recorded.