33 CRASHES IN
IOWA, IA
2015

In 2015, there were no traffic-related fatalities in Taylor County. A total of 7 people were injured, comprising 6 vehicle motorists and 1 pedestrian. No cyclists were reported as killed or injured in crashes during this period.

Crashes in Taylor County occurred most frequently on Fridays, which saw 10 of the 33 total incidents in 2015. The peak times for crashes were the 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. hours, each with 4 incidents. A notable number of crashes, 6 out of 33, occurred on unlighted roadways after dark.

The vast majority of crashes, 78.8% (26 incidents), resulted in no injuries. The remaining 7 crashes involved injuries, including 1 serious injury, 4 minor injuries, and 2 possible injuries. There were no fatal crashes recorded in Taylor County during this period.

The leading contributing factor to crashes was animals on the roadway, cited in 13 incidents and accounting for 39.4% of all crashes. The next most common factors were losing control of the vehicle, which was a factor in 6 crashes (18.2%), and reckless or negligent vehicle operation, noted in 3 crashes (9.1%).

A majority of crashes occurred in favorable conditions, with 19 incidents happening in clear weather and on dry road surfaces. Daylight conditions were present for 13 crashes. However, a notable number of crashes, 6 in total, occurred after dark on unlighted roadways, and 1 crash was reported on an icy or frosty surface.

The most frequently cited major cause for crashes was 'Animal,' which was attributed to 13 incidents (39.4%). 'Lost Control' was the second leading cause, contributing to 6 crashes (18.2%). 'Operating vehicle in a reckless, erratic, careless, negligent manner' was listed as the cause for 3 crashes (9.1%).

The most common first harmful event was a collision with an animal, which occurred in 13 of the 33 crashes. Collisions with another vehicle in traffic were the next most frequent event, accounting for 5 incidents. Non-collision events like overturns or rollovers were recorded in 3 crashes.

The majority of crashes, 15 out of 33, occurred at non-junction locations along a road segment. Intersections accounted for a smaller share, with 4 crashes at four-way intersections and 1 at a T-intersection. An additional 2 crashes were related to driveways.

Of the 43 vehicles involved in crashes, passenger cars were the most common type, accounting for 22 vehicles. Light trucks and pickups were the second most frequent with 12 vehicles, followed by sport utility vehicles with 6. One tractor/semi-trailer was involved in a crash during this period.

The vast majority of crashes, 27 out of 33, occurred where no traffic controls were present. Stop signs were the only other traffic control device noted, present at the location of 5 crashes. No crashes were reported at locations with traffic signals.

The front of the vehicle was the most common area of damage, recorded for 10 vehicles involved in collisions. Rear-end damage was also significant, noted as the primary impact area for 5 vehicles, with an additional 4 vehicles sustaining damage to a rear corner.

Within Taylor County, the city of Lenox had the highest crash volume with 6 incidents. Bedford and New Market each recorded 2 crashes. Clearfield and Sharpsburg each had 1 crash.

The majority of crashes, 28 out of 33, occurred on paved roadways. A smaller portion, 5 crashes, took place on unpaved surfaces such as gravel or dirt roads.

Officer-estimated property damage for the 33 crashes was primarily in the $1,500 to $7,500 range, which accounted for 23 incidents. The remaining 10 crashes were estimated to have damage between $7,500 and $25,000. No crashes were reported with property damage exceeding $25,000.

The predominant manner of collision was single-vehicle, non-collision incidents, such as running off the road or overturning, which accounted for 23 crashes or 69.7% of the total. Multi-vehicle collisions were less frequent, with angle and rear-end crashes each accounting for a small number of incidents.

The most common pre-crash action for the vehicles involved was 'Movement essentially straight,' recorded for 24 of the 43 vehicles. Backing was the next most frequent action, noted for 3 vehicles. Turning left and being legally parked were each recorded for 2 vehicles.

Of the 50 individuals involved in crashes, 49 were drivers of vehicles. The remaining individual was a pedestrian. No passengers were recorded in any of the crashes during this period.

Single-vehicle crashes were the most common type, accounting for 24 of the 33 total incidents (72.7%). Two-vehicle collisions occurred 8 times, and there was one crash that involved three vehicles.