219 CRASHES IN
IOWA, IA
2015

In 2015, crashes resulted in 4 deaths and 91 injuries. Motorists represented the largest group of casualties, with 3 individuals killed and 85 injured. Among vulnerable road users, one cyclist was killed and three were injured, while two pedestrians sustained injuries.

Crashes in Dickinson County were most frequent on Tuesdays, with 43 incidents recorded, closely followed by Thursdays with 42. The afternoon hours showed the highest crash concentration, with a peak of 19 crashes in the 4 p.m. hour and 18 crashes in both the 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. hours. The majority of crashes, 148 out of 219, occurred during daylight hours.

Of the 219 total crashes, approximately two-thirds (66.7%) resulted in no injuries, involving only property damage. The remaining crashes involved injuries of varying degrees: 14 were classified as serious injury, 23 as minor injury, and 32 as possible injury. Four separate crashes were classified as fatal, resulting in a total of four fatalities.

The leading contributing factor identified in crash reports was 'Animal,' accounting for 30 incidents, or 13.7% of the total. 'Followed too close' was the second most common factor, cited in 24 crashes (11.0%). 'Driving too fast for conditions' was listed as a factor in 15 crashes (6.8%).

The majority of crashes occurred in favorable conditions, with 67.6% happening in daylight and 62.1% on dry road surfaces. Clear weather was reported for 120 of the 219 crashes. Adverse conditions were less frequent, with 15 crashes occurring during rain and 20 on snow-covered roads.

Analysis of the 473 individuals involved in crashes shows the most represented age groups were 55-64 years old (70 people), 65 and older (68 people), and 45-54 (66 people). Among the 376 vehicles involved, the most frequent makes, after combining abbreviated names, were Chevrolet (110 vehicles), Ford (58 vehicles), and Dodge (30 vehicles).

The most frequently recorded major cause for crashes was 'Animal,' which was attributed to 30 incidents. 'Followed too close' was the second leading cause, contributing to 24 crashes. Other significant causes included 'Driving too fast for conditions' (15 crashes) and 'FTYROW: Making left turn' (13 crashes).

The most common first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in traffic, which occurred in 127 crashes. The second most frequent event was a collision with an animal, accounting for 27 incidents. Non-collision events like overturns (9 incidents) and collisions with fixed objects like ditches (10 incidents) were also notable.

Crashes occurred more frequently at non-junction locations, which accounted for 93 incidents. Intersections were the site of 84 crashes, with four-way intersections being the most common type, hosting 58 of these incidents. An additional 10 crashes were related to driveway access.

Passenger cars were the most common vehicle type involved in crashes, with 173 vehicles recorded. Four-tire light trucks (77 vehicles) and sport utility vehicles (66 vehicles) were also frequently involved. The data also includes 10 tractor/semi-trailers and 9 motorcycles among the vehicles in collisions.

The majority of vehicles involved in crashes were at locations with no traffic controls present, a situation noted in 227 instances. Where traffic controls were a factor, crashes occurred most often at locations with traffic signals (63 instances) and stop signs (51 instances).

The front of the vehicle was the most frequently damaged area, recorded in 81 cases, with an additional 80 vehicles sustaining damage to a front corner. Rear-end collisions are suggested by the 46 vehicles with primary damage to the rear. Side impacts were also common, with 69 vehicles damaged on the driver or passenger side.

Within Dickinson County, Spirit Lake had the highest number of crashes with 80 incidents. Milford recorded the second-highest number with 29 crashes, followed by Arnolds Park with 19. Several other municipalities, including Okoboji and Lake Park, reported crashes in the single or low double digits.

The vast majority of crashes, 199 out of 210 for which road surface type was recorded, occurred on paved roads. Crashes on unpaved surfaces such as gravel or dirt accounted for 11 incidents, representing approximately 5.2% of that subset.

For the minority of crashes where a roadway factor was identified as a contributor, 'Surface condition (e.g. wet, icy)' was the most common, cited in 27 cases. Other factors were noted infrequently, with 'Slippery, loose or worn surface' listed in 2 cases and 'Ruts/holes/bumps' in 1 case.

Among driver conditions noted as a factor other than 'apparently normal,' being 'Under the influence of alcohol' was the most frequent, recorded in 11 instances. 'Emotional' states were cited in 5 cases, while single instances of 'Asleep/fatigued' and 'Medical condition' were also reported.

The estimated property damage for the majority of crashes fell within the '$1,500 - $7,500' range, which applied to 150 incidents (68.5%). Fifty crashes (22.8%) resulted in damages between $7,500 and $25,000. Four crashes were estimated to have caused property damage in excess of $25,000.

Single-vehicle, non-collision events such as running off the road or overturning were the most common crash type, accounting for 68 incidents (31.1%). Rear-end collisions were the second most frequent manner of collision with 58 incidents (26.5%). Broadside crashes were also significant, occurring 32 times (14.6%).

Prior to impact, the most common vehicle action was 'Movement essentially straight,' recorded in 209 instances. 'Turning left' was the second most frequent pre-crash action with 43 instances, followed by vehicles being 'Stopped in traffic' in 20 instances.

Of the 473 people involved in crashes, the vast majority, 447 individuals (94.5%), were drivers. The remaining individuals included 19 passengers, 4 bicyclists, and 2 pedestrians. A single 'other non-motorist' was also involved.

Among all persons involved in crashes, 4 sustained fatal injuries and 16 had serious injuries. An additional 29 people had minor injuries and 46 had possible injuries. The total number of injured persons across all crashes was 91.

Based on the limited data available for safety equipment usage, 54 individuals were recorded as using a shoulder and lap belt. In 11 cases, it was noted that no safety equipment was used. Two individuals were recorded as wearing a DOT-compliant helmet.

Two-vehicle collisions were the most common scenario, accounting for 135 crashes, or 61.6% of the total. Single-vehicle crashes were also frequent, with 72 incidents (32.9%). Crashes involving three or more vehicles were less common, with 11 such incidents recorded in total.