39 CRASHES IN
IOWA, IA
2015

In 2015, there were no fatalities among any road users in Ringgold County. All 22 reported injuries were sustained by motorists involved in crashes. There were no recorded injuries or fatalities involving pedestrians or cyclists during this period.

Crashes in Ringgold County occurred most frequently on Tuesdays, which saw 8 incidents, and on Sundays and Fridays, which each saw 7. The most common time for crashes was the 2 p.m. hour, with 6 recorded events, followed by the 3 p.m. hour with 5 events. Overall, 23 of the 39 crashes, or 59%, happened during daylight hours.

Of the 39 crashes in 2015, none were fatal. Injury-involved crashes accounted for 46.2% of the total, with 3 serious injuries, 6 minor injuries, and 9 possible injuries reported across 18 separate incidents. The remaining 53.8% of crashes, totaling 21 incidents, resulted in no injuries.

The leading contributing factor for crashes was animals in the roadway, cited in 8 incidents (20.5%). Losing control of the vehicle was the second most common factor, noted in 6 crashes (15.4%). Other notable factors included running a stop sign and various forms of driver distraction, which together accounted for another 6 crashes.

The vast majority of crashes occurred in favorable conditions, with 25 of 39 incidents (64.1%) happening in clear weather. Similarly, 26 crashes (66.7%) took place on dry road surfaces. Daylight conditions were present for 23 crashes, accounting for 59% of the total.

Among the 78 people involved in crashes, the 35-44 age group was the most represented with 18 individuals, followed by the 16-20 age group with 14 individuals. Of the 55 vehicles involved, Ford was the most frequent make with 10 vehicles. Chevrolet (including abbreviated 'CHEV' entries) accounted for 11 vehicles, and Kia and Dodge ('DODG') each appeared 3 times.

The most common major cause identified in crashes was interaction with an animal, accounting for 8 incidents (20.5%). Losing control was the second leading cause with 6 crashes (15.4%). Running a stop sign and other interior driver distractions were each cited as the major cause in 3 separate crashes (7.7% each).

The most frequent first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in traffic, occurring in 9 crashes. This was closely followed by collisions with an animal, which was the first event in 8 crashes. Collisions with a fixed object, such as a ditch (5 incidents), accounted for a significant portion of the remaining events.

The majority of crashes, 20 out of 39 (51.3%), occurred at non-junction locations along a road segment. Intersections were the site of 8 crashes, with 6 at four-way intersections and 2 at T-intersections. Driveway access was related to 3 crashes.

Passenger cars were the most common vehicle type involved in crashes, with 22 units recorded. Light trucks and pickups were the next most frequent with 13 vehicles, followed by Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) with 10. Motorcycles were involved in 3 crashes, and tractor-trailers were involved in 2.

A large majority of vehicles involved in crashes were in areas with no traffic controls present, accounting for 41 of the 55 vehicles. Stop signs were the most common form of traffic control noted, present for 7 vehicles. A No Passing Zone was noted for one vehicle involved in a crash.

The front of the vehicle was the most common area of damage, reported for 15 vehicles. Front corners were the primary point of damage for 8 vehicles, while the rear was the most damaged area for 4 vehicles. This suggests a mix of frontal, angle, and rear-end collision dynamics.

Within Ringgold County, Mount Ayr experienced the highest number of crashes with 18 incidents. Kellerton and Redding followed with 2 crashes each. Several other towns, including Blockton, Delphos, Tingley, and Diagonal, each recorded a single crash.

Crashes predominantly occurred on paved roads, which accounted for 34 of the 39 total incidents (87.2%). Unpaved roads, such as gravel or dirt, were the site of 5 crashes, representing 12.8% of the total for the year.

The most common estimated property damage cost was in the $1,500 to $7,500 range, which applied to 27 of the 39 crashes. Ten crashes resulted in damages between $7,500 and $25,000. Only one crash was estimated to have damage exceeding $25,000.

Single-vehicle, non-collision events were the most frequent manner of crash, accounting for 25 incidents or 64.1% of the total. Among multi-vehicle crashes, broadside collisions were the most common with 6 incidents (15.4%), followed by rear-end and opposite-direction sideswipe collisions, each with 3 incidents.

The vast majority of vehicles involved in crashes were moving essentially straight prior to the incident, with this action recorded for 44 of the 55 vehicles. Turning left was the pre-crash action for 5 vehicles. Backing was noted for 2 vehicles.

Drivers constituted the overwhelming majority of individuals involved in crashes, with 73 of the 78 total persons being drivers (93.6%). The remaining 5 individuals were passengers. No pedestrians or other non-occupant types were involved in crashes.

Across all 78 people involved in crashes, 22 sustained some level of injury. This included 3 serious injuries, 8 minor injuries, and 11 possible injuries. There were no fatalities recorded among any persons involved in crashes during this period.

Among the individuals for whom safety equipment use was recorded, 10 were noted as using a shoulder and lap belt. Four individuals were recorded as using no safety equipment. One person used a DOT-compliant helmet, and another was in a forward-facing child safety seat.

Single-vehicle crashes were the most common type, with 25 of the 39 total incidents (64.1%) involving only one vehicle. Twelve crashes involved two vehicles (30.8%). The remaining two crashes were multi-vehicle incidents involving three vehicles each.