3,347 CRASHES IN
IOWA, IA
2015

Motor vehicle occupants accounted for all 5 fatalities and the vast majority of injuries, with 1,117 motorists injured. While there were no fatalities among vulnerable road users, 25 pedestrians and 24 cyclists sustained injuries in crashes during this period. Other non-motorists accounted for an additional 2 injuries.

Crash frequency peaked on Tuesdays, which saw 570 incidents, with weekdays overall showing significantly more crashes than weekends. The single busiest hour for crashes was the 5 p.m. evening commute hour, which recorded 358 incidents. A secondary peak occurred during the morning commute at 7 a.m. with 199 crashes, reflecting typical commuter traffic patterns.

The majority of crashes, 72.6% (2,430 incidents), resulted in no injuries. Crashes involving injuries accounted for 27.4% of the total, including 52 serious injury crashes, 298 minor injury crashes, and 562 with possible injuries. There were 5 fatal crashes during this period, which resulted in a total of 5 fatalities.

The leading contributing factor cited in crashes was 'followed too close,' accounting for 353 incidents or 10.5% of the total. Collisions involving an animal were the second most common factor with 265 crashes (7.9%), followed by a vehicle running off the road to the left (230 crashes, 6.9%). Failure to yield the right-of-way while making a left turn was also a significant factor, contributing to 227 crashes.

A substantial majority of crashes occurred in favorable conditions. Crashes in daylight accounted for 67.2% of the total (2,251 incidents), while 65.9% (2,205 incidents) happened on dry road surfaces. Similarly, clear weather was reported for 1,842 crashes, whereas rain was a factor in 320 crashes and snow in 92.

Among all individuals involved in crashes, the 26-34 age group was the most represented, with 1,261 people. The most common vehicle makes involved in collisions were Chevrolet (1,162 vehicles), Ford (1,008 vehicles), and Toyota (612 vehicles). These figures represent the frequency of involvement in crashes and do not reflect market share.

The most frequently cited major cause of crashes was 'followed too close,' which was attributed to 353 incidents. Collisions with an animal were the second-leading cause, noted in 265 crashes. Other primary causes included a vehicle running off the road to the left (230 crashes) and a driver failing to yield the right-of-way while making a left turn (227 crashes).

The initial harmful event in the vast majority of crashes was a collision with another vehicle in traffic, which occurred in 2,389 incidents (71.4%). The second most common event was a collision with an animal, recorded in 260 crashes. Collisions with fixed objects were also frequent, including strikes with utility poles (58), ditches (52), and curbs or medians (36).

Crashes were almost evenly divided between intersection and non-intersection locations. Intersections were the site of 1,493 crashes, with four-way intersections being the most common type (1,054 incidents). Non-intersection segments of roadway, including mid-block and driveway-related areas, accounted for 1,490 crashes.

Passenger cars were the most common vehicle type involved in crashes, accounting for 3,353 of the 6,251 vehicles. Sport utility vehicles were the second most frequent with 1,258 involved, followed by light trucks and pickups at 793. Commercial semi-trailers were involved in 82 incidents, and motorcycles were involved in 79.

Among all vehicles involved in crashes, 46.3% (2,895 vehicles) were in areas with no traffic controls present. For vehicles where traffic controls were a factor, traffic signals were the most common, present for 1,937 vehicles (31.0%). Stop signs were the next most frequent control type, noted for 637 vehicles involved in crashes.

The most frequent area of vehicle damage was the front, recorded for 1,649 vehicles, which is consistent with the high number of rear-end collisions. The second most common damage location was the rear of the vehicle (866 vehicles). Damage to the driver or passenger side was also common, indicating a significant number of broadside or angle collisions.

A total of 141 crashes, or 4.2% of all incidents, were recorded as involving an impaired driver. Alcohol was the primary substance in the majority of these cases, cited in 128 crashes. Drugs were noted as a factor in 11 crashes, while a combination of alcohol and drugs was suspected in 2 incidents.

Crash distribution across the county was heavily concentrated in its urban centers. Cedar Rapids accounted for the largest share with 2,075 crashes. Marion followed with 468 crashes, and Hiawatha recorded 167 crashes. These three cities represent the top municipalities by crash volume in the county.

The vast majority of crashes, 3,259 incidents, occurred on paved roadways. A small fraction of crashes, 60 in total or approximately 1.8% of those with a recorded surface type, took place on unpaved gravel or dirt roads. This reflects the predominant use of the paved road network.

Roadway-related factors were identified as contributors in a minority of crashes. The most common factor was 'surface condition,' such as wet or icy roads, which was cited in 243 incidents. Work zone conditions were noted as a factor in 39 crashes, and debris in the roadway was a factor in 11 crashes.

While most drivers were recorded as 'apparently normal,' a driver condition was noted in a subset of cases. The most common non-normal condition was 'under the influence of alcohol,' recorded for 152 drivers. Other noted conditions included being asleep or fatigued (34 drivers) and being emotional (33 drivers).

The most common estimated property damage cost per crash fell into the '$1,500 - $7,500' range, which applied to 2,154 incidents (64.4% of the total). Crashes resulting in severe damage estimated at '$25,000+' were less frequent, accounting for 60 incidents, or 1.8% of all crashes.

Rear-end collisions were the most frequent crash type, accounting for 1,067 incidents or 31.9% of the total. Single-vehicle crashes, classified as 'non-collision' events like running off the road, were the second most common type with 684 incidents (20.4%). Broadside collisions were also prevalent, occurring in 657 crashes (19.6%).

The most common action of vehicles immediately prior to a crash was 'movement essentially straight,' recorded for 3,415 vehicles. The next most frequent pre-crash actions were 'turning left' (698 vehicles) and being 'stopped in traffic' (475 vehicles), often precursors to left-turn and rear-end collisions, respectively.

Among incidents involving non-motorists, the most frequently documented action was 'entering or crossing roadway,' which was recorded in 34 cases. Other actions included moving along the roadway with traffic (6 cases) and being on a sidewalk (2 cases). This data highlights crossing locations as a key area of interaction between vehicles and non-motorists.

Drivers were the predominant type of person involved in crashes, accounting for 7,173 of the 7,447 individuals (96.3%). Passengers made up the next largest group with 223 individuals. The remaining persons involved were vulnerable road users, including 25 pedestrians and 24 bicyclists.

Of the 7,447 people involved in crashes, 1,173 suffered an injury or fatality. This included 5 fatalities, 62 serious injuries, 361 minor injuries, and 745 possible injuries. The data shows that while a minority of crashes result in injury, a significant number of people are affected when they do occur.

Based on the subset of 979 individuals for whom safety equipment use was recorded, 90 people (9.2%) were documented as using no restraints. The majority in this group, 863 individuals, were reported as using a shoulder and lap belt. For crashes involving non-occupants, 11 individuals were noted as wearing a helmet.

Two-vehicle crashes were the most common scenario, accounting for 2,312 incidents, or 69.1% of the total. Single-vehicle crashes, such as running off the road or striking a fixed object, made up 22.9% of all incidents (766 crashes). Crashes involving three or more vehicles were less common, representing 8.0% of the total.