272 CRASHES IN
IOWA, IA
2015

In 2015, crash data for Delaware County shows that motorists accounted for the majority of individuals killed or injured. One motorist was killed and 111 were injured. Additionally, one pedestrian was killed and one was injured in separate incidents. There were no fatalities or injuries involving cyclists recorded during this period.

Crash frequency in Delaware County peaked on Mondays, which saw a total of 48 incidents throughout the year. The most common time for crashes was the 3 p.m. hour, with 21 events recorded. Analysis of lighting conditions shows that 134 crashes, or 49.3% of the total, occurred during daylight hours, while 67 crashes took place in dark, dusk, or dawn conditions.

Of the 272 total crashes, 213 (78.3%) resulted in no injuries and were classified as property-damage-only. The remaining incidents involved injuries of varying severity, including 4 serious injuries, 29 minor injuries, and 24 possible injuries. There were 2 fatal crashes recorded during the year, which resulted in a total of 2 fatalities.

The leading contributing factor to crashes was animals, cited in 82 incidents, or 30.1% of all crashes. Losing control of the vehicle was the second most common factor, contributing to 33 crashes (12.1%). Running off a straight road was listed as a factor in 21 crashes (7.7%), highlighting a pattern of single-vehicle incidents.

A substantial number of crashes occurred in seemingly ideal conditions, with 123 (45.2%) happening in clear weather and 126 (46.3%) on dry road surfaces. Daylight conditions were present for 134 crashes (49.3%). Adverse conditions still played a role, with 15 crashes occurring during rain and 14 in snow, while 25 incidents happened on wet roads and 22 on snow-covered surfaces.

Among the 504 people involved in crashes, the 16-20 age group was the most represented with 89 individuals, followed by the 55-64 age group with 74 individuals. Analysis of the 390 vehicles involved shows that Chevrolet (101), Ford (70), and Dodge (33) were the most frequent makes recorded in crash reports. These top three makes constituted 52% of all vehicles with a specified make.

The most frequently cited major cause of crashes was animals, accounting for 82 incidents. The second leading cause was losing control of the vehicle, which was documented in 33 crashes. Running off a straight road contributed to 21 crashes, while following too closely and other unspecified causes were each cited in 13 incidents.

The initial event in crashes was most often a collision with an animal, which occurred in 81 cases. This was closely followed by collisions with another vehicle in traffic, recorded in 80 incidents. Non-collision events, primarily overturns or rollovers, were the first harmful event in 32 crashes, while striking a ditch was documented 24 times.

The majority of crashes occurred on non-intersection roadway segments, with 119 incidents specifically noted as happening at a non-junction or area with no special features. In contrast, 29 crashes occurred at four-way intersections and 24 at T-intersections. Overall, crashes at or related to intersections accounted for at least 60 incidents, while non-intersection events accounted for at least 140.

Passenger cars were the most common vehicle type involved in crashes, with 162 units documented. Light trucks and pickups were the second most frequent with 78 vehicles, followed closely by sport utility vehicles with 76. Tractor/semi-trailers were involved in 12 incidents, and motorcycles were involved in 8.

A significant majority of crashes, 243 out of 272, occurred in areas where no traffic controls were present. For crashes where traffic controls were a factor, stop signs were the most common device, present in 44 incidents. Traffic signals were present at the location of 11 crashes.

Frontal impacts were the most common, with the primary damage being to the front of the vehicle in 85 cases and to the front corners in an additional 50 cases. This pattern is consistent with head-on collisions, rear-end collisions, and striking objects like animals. Damage to the rear was the most severe in 30 vehicles, while side damage was most prominent in 48 vehicles.

Of the crashes occurring within city limits, Manchester reported the highest volume with 79 incidents. Dyersville recorded the second-highest number with 13 crashes. Following these were Delhi with 6 crashes and Earlville with 4 crashes.

The vast majority of crashes, 238 out of 272, occurred on paved roadways. However, a notable portion, 34 crashes or 12.5% of the total, took place on unpaved surfaces such as gravel or dirt roads, reflecting the county's rural road network.

Roadway-related factors were cited as a contributor in a minority of crashes. The most common factor was the surface condition, such as wet or icy roads, which was noted in 25 incidents. An obstruction in the roadway and a slippery or worn surface were each cited as a factor in one crash.

Among drivers whose condition was noted as something other than 'apparently normal', being under the influence of alcohol was the most frequent, recorded for 9 drivers. Additionally, 3 drivers were noted as being asleep or fatigued, and 2 experienced a medical condition. These figures represent a small subset of the 454 drivers involved in crashes.

The most common estimated cost of property damage fell within the $1,500 to $7,500 range, which was assigned to 209 crashes. A smaller number of crashes, 56, resulted in damages estimated between $7,500 and $25,000. Only 5 crashes were estimated to have damage costs exceeding $25,000.

Nearly half of all incidents, 131 crashes or 48.2%, were non-collision events involving a single vehicle. Among multi-vehicle crashes, the most common types were rear-end collisions, with 28 incidents (10.3%), and broadside collisions, with 27 incidents (9.9%).

Prior to impact, the most common action for the 390 vehicles involved was moving essentially straight, which was the case for 212 vehicles. Turning left was the pre-crash action for 31 vehicles, while 19 vehicles were legally parked at the time of the incident. Another 18 vehicles were in the process of backing.

Of the 504 individuals involved in crashes, the vast majority, 454 people or 90.1%, were drivers. Passengers accounted for 48 of the individuals, representing 9.5% of the total. A small number of pedestrians were also involved, making up 2 of the recorded persons.

Out of 504 people involved in crashes, 114 sustained some level of injury or were fatally wounded. This includes 2 fatalities, 4 serious injuries, 68 minor injuries, and 40 possible injuries. The total number of injured persons was 112.

Among the 87 individuals for whom safety equipment usage was documented, 49 were reported as using a shoulder and lap belt. However, a notable 36 individuals were recorded as using no safety equipment at all. Two participants were noted as wearing a DOT-compliant helmet.

Single-vehicle crashes were the most common type of incident, accounting for 163 of the 272 total crashes (59.9%). Two-vehicle collisions were the next most frequent, with 102 incidents. A small number of crashes involved more than two vehicles, including six 3-vehicle crashes and one 5-vehicle crash.