365 CRASHES IN
IOWA, IA
2015

Motor vehicle occupants represented all 4 fatalities and the vast majority of injuries, with 151 motorists injured in 2015. There were no pedestrian fatalities or injuries reported. Two cyclists were injured in crashes, but no cyclist fatalities occurred.

Crash occurrences in Plymouth County peaked midweek, with Wednesday recording the highest number of incidents (59). The most frequent time for crashes was the 3 p.m. hour, which saw 38 incidents. The majority of crashes, 232 out of 365, occurred during daylight hours.

The majority of crashes in 2015, approximately 69.9% (255 incidents), resulted in no injuries. Injury-related crashes, including serious, minor, and possible injuries, accounted for 107 incidents. There were 3 fatal crashes recorded, which resulted in a total of 4 fatalities, indicating at least one crash involved multiple deaths.

Severity is per crash event (most severe injury). 3 fatal crash events resulted in 4 persons killed.

The most frequently cited contributing factor in Plymouth County crashes was 'Animal', involved in 63 incidents (17.3%). This was followed by 'Lost Control' with 46 crashes (12.6%) and 'Driving too fast for conditions' with 26 crashes (7.1%). Failure to yield the right-of-way from a stop sign and running off the road were also significant factors, each contributing to 24 crashes.

A majority of crashes occurred in favorable conditions, with 63.6% (232) happening in daylight and 54.5% (199) on dry road surfaces. Clear weather was reported for 187 crashes, or 51.2% of the total. Regarding adverse conditions, 43 crashes occurred on icy or frosty roads, and 53 crashes took place on unlighted roadways after dark.

Analysis of persons involved in crashes shows the 16-20 age group was the most represented, with 133 individuals, followed by the 26-34 age group with 114 individuals. Among the 547 vehicles involved, Chevrolet was the most frequent make (130 vehicles), followed by Ford (93 vehicles). Dodge (38 vehicles), Pontiac (27 vehicles), and Toyota (27 vehicles) were also commonly involved.

The leading major cause attributed to crashes was 'Animal', cited in 63 incidents, or 17.3% of the total. 'Lost Control' was the second most common cause, contributing to 46 crashes (12.6%). Other significant causes included 'Driving too fast for conditions' (26 crashes) and failure to yield from a stop sign (24 crashes).

The most common first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in traffic, which occurred in 156 crashes (42.7%). Events characteristic of run-off-road crashes were also frequent, including collisions with an animal (62 crashes), vehicle overturns or rollovers (43 crashes), and collisions with a ditch (36 crashes). These non-collision and single-vehicle events collectively represent a significant portion of total incidents.

A plurality of crashes, 165 incidents (45.2%), occurred at non-junction locations along a road segment. Four-way intersections were the most common type of junction for crashes, accounting for 79 incidents. T-intersections were the site of another 26 crashes, with all intersection-related crashes combined making up 110 of the total incidents.

Passenger cars were the most common vehicle type involved in crashes, accounting for 254 of the 547 vehicles. Sport utility vehicles (110 vehicles) and light trucks or pickups (101 vehicles) were also frequently involved. Tractor/semi-trailers were involved in 29 crashes, while motorcycles were involved in 2.

The data indicates that the majority of vehicles involved in crashes were in areas with no traffic controls present, accounting for 360 vehicles. Stop signs were the most common form of traffic control noted, present for 75 vehicles involved in crashes. Traffic signals were a factor for 32 vehicles involved in incidents.

The front of the vehicle was the most common area of impact, recorded as the most damaged area for 144 vehicles. Side impacts were also very common, with various points on the driver and passenger sides accounting for a combined 155 vehicles. Rear impacts were noted as the primary damage area for 59 vehicles.

A total of 16 crashes involved a driver flagged for impairment, representing 4.4% of all crashes in the county for the year. Of these, alcohol was suspected in 12 cases and drugs were suspected in 4 cases. These counts should be considered a minimum as impairment is often under-reported.

Within Plymouth County, the city of Le Mars accounted for the largest number of crashes with 129 incidents. The town of Hinton recorded the second-highest volume with 17 crashes, followed by Kingsley with 7 crashes. A substantial number of crashes occurred outside of any incorporated city limits.

The vast majority of crashes, 342 incidents, occurred on paved roadways. Crashes on unpaved surfaces like gravel or dirt roads accounted for 19 incidents, representing 5.3% of crashes where the surface type was specified. This highlights the role of the county's secondary road network in overall crash statistics.

In cases where a roadway factor was noted as a contributor, adverse surface conditions such as wet or icy pavement were the most common, cited in 78 crashes. A slippery, loose, or worn surface was a factor in 4 additional crashes. Most crashes did not have an apparent roadway factor cited as a primary contributor.

Among drivers where a condition other than 'apparently normal' was recorded, being asleep or fatigued was noted in 10 instances, as was driving under the influence of alcohol. Emotional state and medical conditions were each cited as a factor for 4 drivers. These figures represent a subset of all drivers, as most were recorded as being in normal condition.

The most common estimated property damage cost per crash was in the $1,500 to $7,500 range, which applied to 261 incidents. A smaller number of crashes, 83, resulted in damages estimated between $7,500 and $25,000. High-damage crashes, with costs exceeding $25,000, accounted for 7 incidents, or 1.9% of the total.

Nearly half of all crashes, 170 incidents (46.6%), were single-vehicle, non-collision events such as running off the road or overturning. Among multi-vehicle crashes, broadside collisions were the most frequent type, with 63 incidents (17.3%). Rear-end collisions were also common, accounting for 62 crashes (17.0%).

The most common pre-crash action for vehicles involved was moving essentially straight, which was the case for 365 of the 547 vehicles. Turning left was the next most frequent maneuver, recorded for 38 vehicles. Backing and being stopped in traffic were each the pre-crash action for 19 vehicles.

Of the 707 people involved in crashes, the vast majority, 661 individuals (93.5%), were drivers. Passengers accounted for 44 of the people involved, while 2 were bicyclists. No pedestrians were recorded in any crash incidents.

Across all 707 individuals involved in crashes, 4 sustained fatal injuries and 153 sustained some level of injury. This includes 18 serious injuries, 76 minor injuries, and 59 possible injuries. In total, 22.2% of all persons involved in crashes were either killed or injured.

Among the 139 vehicle occupants for whom safety equipment use was recorded, 109 were using a shoulder and lap belt. However, 27 individuals, or 19.4% of this subset, were recorded as using no safety equipment at all. Data on restraint use was not available for the majority of occupants.

Single-vehicle crashes were the most common type, accounting for 193 incidents, or 52.9% of the total. Two-vehicle collisions were also frequent, with 161 incidents. Crashes involving three or more vehicles were rare, with only 10 such events recorded during the year.