163 CRASHES IN
IOWA, IA
2015

In 2015, crash casualties primarily involved motor vehicle occupants, with 1 motorist killed and 43 injured. One pedestrian was also injured in a crash during this period. There were no reported fatalities or injuries involving cyclists.

Crash occurrences in Emmet County were highest on Mondays and Fridays, each accounting for 28 incidents. The most frequent time for crashes was the 3 p.m. hour, with 15 events recorded. A majority of crashes, 89 out of 163, occurred during daylight hours.

The vast majority of crashes, 124 out of 163 or 76.1%, resulted in no injuries. Injury-related crashes, including those with possible, minor, or serious injuries, accounted for 38 incidents. One crash was fatal, resulting in one death; a single crash can result in multiple fatalities, though that was not the case here.

The most prominent contributing factor to crashes was the presence of an animal, cited in 37 incidents, or 22.7% of the total. Following this, driving too fast for conditions was noted in 15 crashes (9.2%), and loss of control was a factor in 12 crashes (7.4%). Other frequently cited factors included reckless or careless operation (11 crashes) and following too closely (11 crashes).

More than half of all crashes (54.6%) occurred in daylight, with 50.3% in clear weather and 59.5% on dry road surfaces, indicating most incidents happened in ideal driving conditions. Adverse conditions were also present in a number of crashes, with 11 incidents occurring during snowfall and 32 taking place on unlighted dark roadways.

The 16-20 age group was the most frequently involved in crashes, accounting for 57 of the 300 individuals recorded. Among vehicle makes involved in incidents, Ford was listed 34 times, while Chevrolet appeared as 'CHEV' (31 times) and 'CHEVROLET' (27 times). GMC vehicles were involved in 18 crashes, and Pontiac models ('PONT' and 'PONTIAC') were noted in a combined 25 instances.

The leading major cause of crashes in Emmet County was an animal on the roadway, accounting for 37 incidents. Driver-related actions followed, with 'Driving too fast for conditions' cited in 15 crashes and 'Lost Control' in 12 crashes. Following too closely and reckless or erratic driving were each cited as the major cause in 11 crashes.

The most common first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in traffic, which occurred in 66 crashes (40.5%). The second most frequent event was a collision with an animal, accounting for 36 crashes (22.1%). Events indicating a run-off-road crash, such as striking a ditch (14 crashes) or an overturn/rollover (12 crashes), were also significant.

A majority of crashes, 89 out of 163 (54.6%), occurred at non-intersection locations. Crashes at intersections were less frequent, with four-way intersections being the most common type, accounting for 30 incidents. An additional 10 crashes were related to driveway access points.

Passenger cars were the most common vehicle type involved in crashes, accounting for 118 of the 253 vehicles. Sport utility vehicles (50 vehicles) and four-tire light trucks or pickups (51 vehicles) were also frequently involved, collectively representing about 40% of all vehicles. Tractor/semi-trailers were involved in 6 crashes, and motorcycles were involved in 2.

The majority of vehicles involved in crashes were in areas with no traffic controls present, as this was noted for 160 of the 253 vehicles. For crashes where traffic controls were a factor, traffic signals and stop signs were the most common, associated with 29 and 28 vehicles respectively.

Frontal impacts were the most common area of damage, recorded for 64 vehicles. This suggests a high number of head-on or frontal collisions with objects. Rear impacts, indicative of rear-end collisions, were the second most frequent damage area, noted on 31 vehicles.

The city of Estherville was the site of the majority of municipal crashes, with 90 incidents recorded in 2015. Far fewer crashes occurred in other towns, including 5 in Armstrong and 4 in Wallingford. A significant number of crashes in the county occurred outside of any incorporated city limits.

The vast majority of crashes, 153 out of 162 with recorded road surface type, occurred on paved roads. Crashes on unpaved surfaces, such as gravel or dirt roads, accounted for 9 incidents, or approximately 5.6% of the total.

In cases where a roadway factor was noted as contributing to a crash, adverse surface conditions such as wet or icy pavement were the most common, cited in 17 incidents. Work zones were identified as a contributing factor in one crash. In total, a roadway factor was cited in 22 crashes.

Among drivers for whom a condition other than 'apparently normal' was recorded, being under the influence of alcohol was the most frequent, noted for 9 individuals. Additionally, 2 drivers were reported as asleep or fatigued, a condition often associated with rural driving. Other noted conditions included emotional distress and medical events.

The estimated property damage for the majority of crashes fell into the $1,500 to $7,500 range, which applied to 135 of the 163 incidents. Only one crash was estimated to have damage exceeding $25,000, while 26 crashes were in the $7,500 to $25,000 range.

Single-vehicle crashes, categorized as 'Non-collision', were the most frequent type of incident, accounting for 67 crashes or 41.1% of the total. Among multi-vehicle crashes, rear-end collisions were the most common, with 33 incidents (20.2%), followed by broadside collisions with 19 incidents (11.7%).

Among the 253 vehicles involved in crashes, the most common pre-crash action was moving straight ahead, which was reported for 134 vehicles (53.0%). The next most frequent actions were backing (25 vehicles) and being legally parked (19 vehicles).

Of the 300 individuals involved in crashes, the overwhelming majority, 293 people (97.7%), were drivers. Passengers accounted for 6 individuals, and one person was a pedestrian. No cyclists were recorded as being involved in crashes during this period.

Across all 300 people involved in crashes, there was 1 fatality. A total of 44 individuals sustained injuries, with 3 classified as serious, 18 as minor, and 23 as possible injuries. The remaining individuals were not reported as injured.

Data on safety equipment use was available for a small subset of 36 occupants. Within this group, 9 individuals (25%) were reported as not using any safety restraints. The majority, 26 occupants, were recorded as using a shoulder and lap belt.

Crashes in Emmet County were almost evenly split between single-vehicle and two-vehicle incidents. Two-vehicle crashes were slightly more common, with 83 incidents (50.9%), while single-vehicle crashes accounted for 77 incidents (47.2%). Only 3 crashes involved more than two vehicles.