145 CRASHES IN
IOWA, IA
2015

In 2015, there were no fatalities from traffic crashes in Lyon County. A total of 71 people were injured, the vast majority of whom were motorists (69 injuries). Additionally, two cyclists sustained injuries in crashes. No pedestrians were reported as killed or injured.

Crashes in Lyon County peaked on Fridays, with 34 incidents recorded, and during the 3 p.m. hour, which saw 14 crashes. The months with the highest crash volumes were November (20 crashes) and January (17 crashes). A majority of collisions, 92 in total, occurred during daylight hours.

A significant portion of crashes, 94 incidents or 64.8%, resulted in no injuries. The remaining 51 crashes (35.2%) involved injuries of varying severity: 4 crashes (2.8%) with serious injuries, 18 (12.4%) with minor injuries, and 29 (20%) with possible injuries. There were no fatal crashes recorded in 2015.

The most common contributing factor cited in crashes was an animal, involved in 25 incidents (17.2%). This was followed by drivers losing control, which was a factor in 23 crashes (15.9%), and running off a straight road, noted in 10 crashes (6.9%). Various forms of driver distraction collectively contributed to 10 crashes.

The majority of crashes occurred in favorable conditions, with 64.8% happening in clear weather and 58.6% on dry road surfaces. Correspondingly, 92 of the 145 crashes (63.4%) took place in daylight. However, adverse conditions were also present, as 12 crashes occurred during snowfall and 21 crashes involved a snow-covered road surface.

Among the 217 vehicles involved in crashes, the most frequent makes were Chevrolet (49 vehicles), Ford (37), and Dodge (19). The age groups most represented among all persons involved in these incidents were 35-44 years old (48 people) and 26-34 years old (43 people).

The leading major cause identified in crash reports was an animal, contributing to 25 incidents. Losing control was the second most frequent cause, cited in 23 crashes, followed by running off a straight road in 10 crashes. Driving too fast for conditions was listed as the major cause for 8 crashes.

The most frequent first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in traffic, which occurred in 63 crashes. Events related to leaving the roadway were also common, including 24 collisions with an animal, 19 overturns or rollovers, and 19 crashes where the first harmful event was hitting a ditch.

Crashes occurred more frequently on non-junction road segments, which accounted for 77 incidents. Intersections were the location for 49 crashes, the majority of which (42) happened at four-way intersections. An additional 6 crashes occurred at T-intersections.

Passenger cars were the most prevalent vehicle type involved in crashes, accounting for 79 of the 217 vehicles. Light trucks and pickups (47 vehicles) and sport utility vehicles (36 vehicles) were the next most common. Tractor-trailers were involved in 16 incidents.

For a majority of the vehicles involved in crashes (153), no traffic controls were present at the crash location. Where controls were present, stop signs were the most common type, noted for 26 vehicles involved in collisions.

Frontal damage was the most common outcome for vehicles in crashes, with 51 vehicles sustaining primary damage to the front and an additional 39 to a front corner. Side impacts were the next most frequent point of damage, recorded for 26 vehicles.

Within Lyon County, the city of Rock Rapids had the highest number of crashes, with 31 incidents reported in 2015. Larchwood recorded the second-highest volume with 10 crashes, followed by George and Inwood, which each had 6 crashes.

While the majority of collisions (124) occurred on paved roads, a notable number of incidents took place on unpaved surfaces. In total, 21 crashes, representing 14.5% of all incidents in the county, were on gravel or dirt roads.

Roadway-related issues were cited as contributing factors in a minority of crashes. The most common factor was the surface condition, such as wet or icy pavement, which was noted in 21 incidents. Work zones were identified as a contributing factor in 3 crashes.

Among drivers for whom a condition other than 'apparently normal' was recorded, driving under the influence of alcohol was the most frequent, cited for 6 individuals. Other conditions, such as being asleep or fatigued, under the influence of drugs, or experiencing a medical event, were each noted for a single driver.

The most common officer-estimated property damage cost was in the $1,500 to $7,500 range, a category that included 108 crashes. Seven crashes were estimated to have caused damage exceeding $25,000, while only 5 crashes had damage estimated under $1,500.

Nearly half of all incidents, 72 crashes (49.7%), were single-vehicle, non-collision events, such as rollovers or running off the road. Among crashes involving multiple vehicles, broadside collisions were the most frequent type, with 25 incidents (17.2%), followed by rear-end collisions with 18 incidents (12.4%).

The most common action for vehicles immediately prior to a crash was moving straight ahead, which was the case for 142 of the 217 vehicles involved. Turning maneuvers were the next most frequent pre-crash actions, with 12 vehicles turning right and 11 turning left.

Of the 288 individuals involved in traffic crashes, the vast majority (266 people, or 92.4%) were drivers. The remaining individuals included 20 passengers and 2 bicyclists.

Out of 288 people involved in crashes, 71 sustained an injury. The severity of these injuries varied, with 4 people sustaining serious injuries, 23 minor injuries, and 44 possible injuries.

Among the 58 vehicle occupants for whom safety equipment use was documented, 47 were reported to have used a shoulder and lap belt. However, 8 occupants, representing 13.8% of this specific group, were recorded as using no restraint at all.

The 145 crashes were almost evenly split between single-vehicle incidents, which totaled 74, and two-vehicle incidents, which totaled 70. Only one crash during the year involved three vehicles.