4,303 CRASHES IN
IOWA, IA
JULY 2015

During this period, 31 motorists were killed and 1,717 were injured in crashes. Vulnerable road users also suffered casualties, with 2 pedestrians killed and 36 injured. Additionally, 1 cyclist was killed and 59 were injured.

Crash frequencies peaked on Friday, which saw 806 incidents, and the most common time for a crash was the 4 p.m. hour with 365 events. A significant majority of collisions, 3,167 or approximately 73.6%, occurred during daylight hours. The evening commute hours between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. represented a sustained period of high crash activity.

Of the 4,303 total crashes, 2,899 (67.4%) resulted in no injuries, being classified as property damage only. The remaining incidents involved some level of injury, including 137 serious injury crashes and 515 minor injury crashes. There were 30 distinct fatal crashes during this period, which resulted in a total of 34 fatalities, as a single crash can involve more than one death.

Severity is per crash event (most severe injury). 30 fatal crash events resulted in 34 persons killed.

The leading contributing factor identified in crashes was 'Followed too close,' accounting for 538 incidents (12.5%). The second most common factor was the presence of an animal on the roadway, cited in 485 crashes (11.3%). Other significant factors included drivers losing control (265 crashes) and failing to yield the right-of-way from a stop sign (253 crashes).

The vast majority of crashes occurred in ideal driving conditions, with 3,408 (79.2%) on dry roads and 2,817 (65.5%) in clear weather. Similarly, 3,167 crashes (73.6%) happened during daylight hours. Adverse conditions were less frequent, with rain reported in 309 crashes and crashes on wet road surfaces totaling 393.

Analysis of persons involved in crashes shows the 26-34 age group was the most represented, with 1,399 individuals, followed closely by the 16-20 age group with 1,351 individuals. Among the 7,538 vehicles involved, Chevrolet was the most frequent make with 1,482 vehicles, followed by Ford with 1,252. Toyota and Dodge vehicles were also commonly involved, with 548 and 523 vehicles respectively.

The most frequently recorded major cause of crashes was 'Followed too close,' cited in 538 incidents. Collisions with animals were the second-leading cause, contributing to 485 crashes. Other primary causes included drivers losing control (265 crashes) and failing to yield right-of-way from a stop sign (253 crashes).

The most common first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in traffic, which occurred in 2,589 crashes, or 60.2% of the total. Collisions with non-fixed objects, primarily animals, were the second most frequent event type with 469 incidents. Among collisions with fixed objects, striking a ditch was the most common, recorded in 201 crashes.

Crashes were more likely to occur on non-intersection roadway segments, which accounted for 1,976 incidents. Four-way intersections were the most common type of junction for crashes, with 1,081 incidents occurring at these locations. T-intersections were the site of another 286 crashes.

Passenger cars were the most common vehicle type involved in crashes, accounting for 3,592 of the 7,538 vehicles. Sport utility vehicles (1,506) and four-tire light trucks or pickups (1,198) were the next most frequent types. Commercial vehicles and motorcycles represented a smaller but notable share, with 205 tractor/semi-trailers and 182 motorcycles involved in collisions.

For a majority of vehicles involved in crashes, no traffic controls were present; this was the case for 4,338 vehicles. Where traffic controls were a factor, traffic signals were the most common, governing 1,671 vehicles involved in crashes. Stop signs were the next most frequent control device, noted for 782 vehicles.

The front of the vehicle was the most common area of impact, recorded as the most-damaged area for 1,959 vehicles. This suggests a high prevalence of head-on or front-to-object collisions. The rear of the vehicle was the second most-damaged area, noted in 1,020 cases, which aligns with the high number of rear-end collisions.

Driver impairment was suspected or confirmed in 176 crashes, representing 4.1% of all incidents. Of these, alcohol was the sole impairing substance in 154 cases. Drugs were cited in 18 cases, and a combination of alcohol and drugs was noted in 4 cases.

Crash distribution was concentrated in the state's most populous counties, with Polk County reporting the highest number at 802 incidents. Scott County followed with 310 crashes, Linn County with 271, and Johnson County with 202. These top four counties alone accounted for approximately 37% of all crashes statewide.

Des Moines recorded the highest number of crashes among all cities with 415 incidents. Davenport had the second-highest volume with 237 crashes, followed by Cedar Rapids with 150. Many crashes, particularly in rural areas, occur outside of municipal boundaries and are not included in this city-specific ranking.

The vast majority of crashes, 4,049 incidents, occurred on paved roadways. However, a notable number of crashes, 233 or approximately 5.4% of the total with known surface type, took place on unpaved surfaces such as gravel or dirt roads. This reflects the state's extensive secondary road network.

Among the small percentage of crashes where a roadway factor was cited, poor surface conditions such as wet or icy pavement were the leading contributor, noted in 91 incidents. Work zone-related factors were the second most common, contributing to 81 crashes. Debris in the roadway was a factor in 14 crashes.

In cases where a driver's condition was noted as other than 'apparently normal,' being under the influence of alcohol was the most frequent, recorded for 187 drivers. Driver fatigue or falling asleep was the second most common condition, cited for 79 drivers. Emotional states like anger or depression were noted in 37 instances.

The distribution of crashes across Iowa's DOT districts shows a concentration in the state's primary population and travel corridors. District 1, which includes the Des Moines metro area, had the highest number of crashes with 1,236. District 6, covering eastern Iowa including Cedar Rapids and Davenport, followed closely with 1,199 crashes.

The most common estimated property damage cost was in the '$1,500 - $7,500' range, which applied to 3,061 crashes, or 71.1% of the total. A smaller number of incidents resulted in severe damage, with 102 crashes (2.4%) estimated to have costs exceeding $25,000. Only 203 crashes were estimated to have damage under $1,500.

Single-vehicle, non-collision events such as running off the road were the most common crash type, accounting for 1,257 incidents (29.2%). Rear-end collisions were the second most frequent manner of collision, with 1,108 incidents (25.7%). Together, these two categories represent more than half of all crashes.

The most common pre-crash action for vehicles involved was 'Movement essentially straight,' recorded for 4,182 vehicles. Turning left was the next most frequent action, noted for 749 vehicles. A significant number of vehicles were either slowing or stopped in traffic prior to being involved in a collision, with 459 and 388 vehicles in these respective categories.

For non-motorists involved in crashes, the most frequently recorded action was 'Entering or crossing roadway,' which was noted in 62 instances. A smaller number of incidents occurred while the non-motorist was moving along the roadway, either with traffic (12) or against it (4). These actions describe the circumstances for both pedestrians and bicyclists.

Of the 9,481 individuals involved in crashes, the vast majority, 8,930 people (94.2%), were drivers. Passengers constituted the next largest group with 445 individuals. A total of 98 vulnerable road users were involved, including 60 bicyclists and 38 pedestrians.

Among the 9,481 people involved in crashes, 1,820 sustained some level of injury and 34 suffered fatal injuries. The most common injury classification was 'Possible Injury,' with 948 individuals, followed by 'Minor Injury' with 708 individuals. A total of 164 people sustained 'Serious' injuries.

Based on available data for 1,385 occupants, 1,146 (82.7%) were recorded as using a shoulder and lap belt. However, 156 occupants, representing 11.3% of this subset, were reportedly not using any safety equipment. Helmets were used by 29 motorcycle riders.

Two-vehicle collisions were the most common type of crash, accounting for 2,686 incidents or 62.4% of the total. Single-vehicle crashes were the next most frequent, with 1,363 incidents (31.7%). Multi-vehicle pile-ups involving three or more vehicles were less common, with 252 such events recorded.