289 CRASHES IN
IOWA, IA
2015

Motorists comprised the majority of individuals killed or injured, with 2 fatalities and 79 injuries. Additionally, one pedestrian was killed and one was injured in crashes during this period. The data reported no fatalities or injuries involving cyclists.

Crashes in Hardin County occurred most frequently on Thursdays, with 48 incidents recorded. The peak times for crashes were the 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. hours, each with 21 incidents. Overall, 142 crashes, or 49.1% of the total, happened during daylight hours, while 63 occurred in dark conditions.

The majority of crashes, 219 out of 289 (75.8%), resulted in no injuries. Injury-involved crashes accounted for the remaining 24.2%, including 7 serious injury, 20 minor injury, and 40 possible injury incidents. There were 3 fatal crashes during this period, which resulted in a total of 3 fatalities.

The most common contributing factor cited in crashes was an animal, accounting for 90 incidents (31.1%). The next most frequent factors were losing control of the vehicle, which was cited in 32 crashes (11.1%), and driving too fast for conditions, noted in 16 crashes (5.5%). Driver distraction, including inattentiveness or other interior distractions, was a factor in a combined 16 incidents.

A plurality of crashes occurred in favorable conditions, with 146 incidents (50.5%) on dry roads and 142 (49.1%) in daylight. Clear weather was reported for 128 crashes, with an additional 54 occurring under cloudy skies. Adverse conditions were less common, with 23 crashes on wet roads, 19 on ice or frost, and 15 during rain.

Among the 490 people involved in crashes, the 16-20 age group was the most represented with 92 individuals, followed by the 55-64 age group with 81 individuals. The most common vehicle makes involved were Chevrolet (106 vehicles), Ford (67 vehicles), and Dodge (38 vehicles). These figures represent the raw counts of vehicles involved in collisions.

Collisions with an animal were the leading major cause of crashes, cited in 90 incidents. Losing control of the vehicle was the second-most frequent cause, contributing to 32 crashes. Other significant causes included driving too fast for conditions (16 crashes) and running off the road (13 to the left, 10 straight).

The most frequent first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in traffic, occurring in 92 crashes. This was closely followed by collisions with an animal, which was the first harmful event in 88 incidents. Run-off-road events were also common, including 35 crashes where the first event was entering a ditch and 22 involving an overturn or rollover.

The majority of crashes, 143 out of 289, occurred at non-intersection locations, representing 49.5% of the total. Crashes at intersections were less frequent, with 32 incidents at four-way intersections and 16 at T-intersections. An additional 15 crashes were related to driveway access points.

Passenger cars were the most common vehicle type involved in crashes, accounting for 188 of the 407 vehicles. Light trucks and pickups were the second-most common with 99 vehicles, followed by sport utility vehicles with 45. Tractor-trailers were involved in 22 incidents, representing 5.4% of all vehicles.

The vast majority of crashes, 251 out of 289 (86.9%), occurred where no traffic controls were present. In locations with controls, 40 crashes happened at stop signs and 21 occurred at traffic signals. Crashes at locations with yield signs or warning signs were significantly less frequent.

Frontal impacts were the most common area of vehicle damage, with 78 vehicles sustaining primary damage to the front and an additional 53 to a front corner. Side impacts were the next most frequent, with 28 vehicles damaged on the driver's side middle area. Rear impacts were noted as the most damaged area for 24 vehicles.

Within Hardin County, Iowa Falls had the highest number of crashes with 60 incidents. Eldora and Hubbard each recorded 9 crashes, while Radcliffe reported 6 crashes. These figures represent crashes occurring within the specified municipal boundaries.

Crashes predominantly occurred on paved roadways, with 260 such incidents reported. Collisions on unpaved surfaces like gravel or dirt accounted for 29 crashes, representing 10.0% of the total for the period.

In a minority of crashes where a roadway factor was noted, surface conditions such as wet or icy roads were the most common contributor, cited in 30 incidents. Other roadway factors were rare, with debris being a factor in 2 crashes and a work zone contributing to 1 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 12 individuals. An additional 5 drivers were noted as asleep or fatigued. These numbers only reflect cases where a specific condition was officially recorded.

The most common estimated property damage cost was in the $1,500 to $7,500 range, which applied to 231 crashes, or 79.9% of the total. High-damage incidents, estimated at over $25,000, were less common, accounting for 8 crashes (2.8%). An equal number of crashes (8) resulted in damage estimated under $1,500.

Single-vehicle, non-collision events were the dominant manner of collision, accounting for 152 crashes or 52.6% of the total. Among multi-vehicle incidents, broadside collisions were most frequent with 31 cases (10.7%), followed by rear-end collisions with 26 cases (9.0%).

For the 407 vehicles involved in crashes, the most common pre-crash action was moving essentially straight, reported for 233 vehicles (57.2%). Turning left was the action for 28 vehicles prior to impact, while 17 vehicles were backing.

Of the 490 individuals involved in crashes, the vast majority, 478 people (97.6%), were drivers. Passengers accounted for 10 individuals, and pedestrians accounted for 2 individuals. No cyclists were recorded in the crash data for this period.

Across all 490 people involved in crashes, 3 individuals sustained fatal injuries and 80 sustained non-fatal injuries. The non-fatal injuries included 9 serious injuries, 24 minor injuries, and 47 possible injuries. The remaining individuals were not injured.

Among the 75 vehicle occupants for whom safety equipment use was recorded, 62 were using a shoulder and lap belt. Nine individuals, representing 12% of this group, were recorded as using no safety equipment. Three individuals were noted as wearing a DOT-compliant helmet.

Single-vehicle crashes were the most common type, accounting for 179 of the 289 incidents (61.9%). Two-vehicle crashes were the next most frequent, with 103 incidents. Crashes involving three or more vehicles were rare, with only 7 such events recorded.