172 CRASHES IN
IOWA, IA
2015

In 2015, all recorded fatalities and injuries in Louisa County involved motorists. One motorist was killed and 43 were injured in traffic crashes. There were no reported fatalities or injuries involving pedestrians or cyclists during this period.

Crashes in Louisa County peaked on Thursdays, with 31 incidents reported. The most frequent time for crashes was the 6 a.m. hour, which saw 19 events. Significant crash activity also occurred during the evening hours between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.

Of the 172 crashes, a large majority (77.9%) resulted in no injuries. Injury-related crashes accounted for approximately 22.1% of the total, including 7 serious injury and 14 minor injury incidents. One fatal crash occurred, resulting in one fatality.

The primary contributing factor to crashes was encounters with animals, cited in 102 incidents, accounting for 59.3% of all crashes. Far less frequent factors included losing control of the vehicle, which was noted in 15 crashes (8.7%), and driving too fast for conditions, which was a factor in 7 crashes (4.1%).

A majority of crashes occurred in favorable conditions, with 59% of incidents with available data happening in clear weather and 74% on dry road surfaces. Daylight conditions were present for 58% of the crashes. Crashes in darkness on unlighted roadways accounted for 28 incidents.

The age group most frequently involved in crashes was 26-34 years old, with 46 individuals recorded, followed by the 16-20 age group with 40 individuals. The most common vehicle makes involved were Ford (31 vehicles) and Chevrolet (37 vehicles, combining 'CHEVROLET' and 'CHEV'), followed by Dodge (26 vehicles, combining 'DODGE' and 'DODG').

The predominant major cause of crashes was an animal in the roadway, accounting for 102 incidents. Other significant causes included losing control of the vehicle, which was cited in 15 crashes, and driving too fast for conditions, which contributed to 7 crashes. Running off a straight road was also listed as the cause for 7 incidents.

The most common first harmful event was a collision with an animal, which occurred in 102 crashes. Collisions with another vehicle in traffic were the second most frequent event, with 24 occurrences. Crashes involving a fixed object, such as a ditch, accounted for 20 incidents, while overturns or rollovers were the first harmful event in 11 cases.

The majority of crashes, 75 out of 95 with available data, occurred at non-intersection locations. This includes 68 crashes on straight or curved road segments without a special feature. Intersections accounted for 20 crashes, with T-intersections being the most common type, site of 10 incidents.

Passenger cars were the most common vehicle type involved in crashes, with 90 recorded. Sport utility vehicles (39) and light trucks or pickups (35) were also frequently involved. Tractor/semi-trailers were involved in 11 crashes, while one motorcycle was recorded.

A significant majority of crashes, 96 out of 122 with this data, occurred where no traffic controls were present. Stop signs were the most common form of traffic control at crash locations, present in 12 incidents. Ten crashes occurred in marked no-passing zones.

The most frequently damaged area on vehicles was the front, which was the primary point of impact in 30 cases. Combined with front-corner impacts, frontal damage was noted in 62 vehicles. Damage to the top of the vehicle, often associated with rollovers, was the second most common category, recorded for 20 vehicles.

Within Louisa County, crash distribution was highest in Columbus Junction, which recorded 9 incidents. Wapello had the second-highest volume with 3 crashes. A number of crashes occurred outside of any specific city limits and are not included in this breakdown.

Crashes predominantly occurred on paved roads, which accounted for 150 incidents. Unpaved surfaces, such as gravel or dirt roads, were the site of 19 crashes, making up 11.2% of the total where surface type was recorded.

In a minority of crashes, a roadway factor was identified as a contributor. The most common factor was the surface condition, such as wet or icy roads, cited in 9 incidents. One crash was noted as occurring in a work zone.

The estimated property damage for the vast majority of crashes (149 incidents) fell within the $1,500 to $7,500 range. Twenty crashes resulted in damages estimated between $7,500 and $25,000. Three crashes were categorized as having high damage costs, exceeding $25,000.

The most common type of crash was a non-collision event involving a single vehicle, such as running off the road or an overturn, which accounted for 118 incidents or 68.6% of all crashes. Among multi-vehicle crashes, the most frequent manners were same-direction sideswipes (9 crashes) and broadside collisions (7 crashes).

Prior to the crash, the most common driver action was moving essentially straight, which was the case in 108 incidents. Turning left was the pre-crash action in 13 cases, and negotiating a curve was the action in 9 cases. These actions represent the driver's intended maneuver immediately before the incident.

Of the 246 individuals involved in crashes, the vast majority (242 people, or 98.4%) were drivers. Passengers accounted for the remaining 4 individuals. No pedestrians or other non-occupant types were recorded in these incidents.

Across all 246 people involved in crashes, there was 1 fatality and 43 injuries. The injuries consisted of 8 serious injuries, 16 minor injuries, and 19 possible injuries. The remaining individuals were not reported as injured.

Among the 37 individuals for whom safety equipment use was specified, 32 were using a shoulder and lap belt. Four individuals were recorded as not using any safety equipment. One child was secured in a forward-facing child safety seat.

The majority of crashes were single-vehicle incidents, which accounted for 143 of the 172 total crashes, or 83.1%. The remaining 29 crashes involved two vehicles. No crashes involving three or more vehicles were recorded.