1,990 CRASHES IN
CONNECTICUT, CT
2015

Motorists comprised the largest group of individuals killed or seriously injured, with 16 fatalities and 656 injuries. In addition, 3 pedestrians were killed and 17 were injured. Among cyclists, there were no fatalities and 7 injuries recorded during this period.

Crash frequencies peaked on Fridays, which saw 327 incidents, and during the 3 p.m. hour, when 166 crashes occurred. Analysis of hourly data shows that collisions were most common during daytime and evening commute hours, with a significant drop in the early morning hours between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. Correspondingly, 66.6% of all crashes (1,325) occurred in daylight conditions.

The majority of crashes, 73.3% (1,458), resulted in no injuries. Injury-involved crashes, including serious, minor, and possible injuries, accounted for 25.9% of all incidents. A total of 17 crashes were classified as fatal, which resulted in 19 total fatalities, as a single crash can involve more than one death.

Severity is per crash event (most severe injury). 17 fatal crash events resulted in 19 persons killed.

A substantial majority of crashes occurred in favorable conditions. Specifically, 74.6% (1,484) of crashes happened in clear weather, 69.4% (1,382) on dry road surfaces, and 66.6% (1,325) during daylight hours. Crashes in adverse weather included 158 incidents during rain and another 158 in snow.

Among the 4,661 individuals involved in crashes, the 26-34 age group was the most represented with 767 people, followed by the 16-20 age group with 616 people. Of the 3,360 vehicles involved, the most frequent makes were Ford (517 vehicles), Chevrolet (320), and Toyota (172).

The speed limit zone with the highest number of crashes was 25 mph, where 515 incidents (25.9% of all crashes) occurred. While crashes happened across all speed zones, the percentage of crashes that were fatal varied; for instance, 4.55% of the 44 crashes in 50 mph zones were fatal, and 1.7% of the 236 crashes in 30 mph zones resulted in a fatality.

The geographic distribution of crashes was concentrated in a few key towns. The Town of Windham accounted for the largest share with 521 crashes (26.2% of the total). Killingly followed with 386 crashes (19.4%), and Putnam had 196 crashes (9.8%).

Of the 703 crashes where the roadway functional class was identified, Collector roads saw the highest number of incidents with 233 crashes. Limited-access highways, including Interstates and Freeways/Expressways, collectively accounted for 158 crashes, or 22.5% of crashes with a specified road class.

Analysis of the 1,925 crashes with a specified route system shows that state-maintained routes (State, US Route, and Interstate) accounted for 1,286 incidents, or 66.8% of the total. Local roads were the location for the remaining 639 crashes (33.2%).

Among crashes where roadway ownership was recorded, 1,883 occurred on public roads. A smaller but notable number, 49 crashes, took place on private roads, such as in parking lots or on private drives, accounting for 2.5% of these incidents.

Of the 703 crashes where the location was classified as either rural or urban, the distribution was nearly even. Rural areas accounted for 364 crashes (51.8% of the classified total), while urban areas saw 339 crashes (48.2%).

The majority of crashes, 1,442 incidents, occurred at locations that were not at an intersection. The remaining crashes occurred at or were related to junctions, with T-intersections (253 crashes) and four-way intersections (241 crashes) being the most common types.

In crashes where the first harmful event was striking a fixed object, the most commonly struck objects were guardrail faces (128 incidents), trees (96), and utility poles or light supports (91). Combined, collisions with trees and poles accounted for 187 incidents, representing 29.8% of all recorded fixed-object crashes.

Passenger cars were the most common vehicle type involved in crashes, accounting for 2,095 of the 3,360 vehicles. Sport Utility Vehicles (390) and Pickups (371) were the next most frequent. Notably, medium or heavy trucks were involved in 102 incidents (3.0%), and motorcycles were involved in 49 crashes (1.5%).

The vast majority of vehicle involvements (2,462) occurred where no traffic control device was present. At locations with traffic controls, 579 vehicle involvements happened at intersections with a traffic signal, and 247 occurred at intersections controlled by a stop sign.

A total of 76 crashes involved motorcyclists, pedestrians, or bicyclists. Motorcyclists were involved in 47 of these incidents. Vulnerable road users, defined as pedestrians and bicyclists, were involved in a combined 29 crashes.

Among drivers for whom a contributing action was cited, failing to keep in the proper lane was the most common action, noted for 392 drivers (12.2% of all drivers). This was followed by following too closely (387 drivers, 12.0%) and failing to yield the right-of-way (223 drivers, 6.9%).

Of the 3,214 drivers involved, 2,829 were recorded as 'Apparently Normal'. Among drivers with a noted condition, 96 were suspected of being under the influence of medications, drugs, or alcohol, and 68 were identified as asleep or fatigued.

Immediately prior to impact, the most common vehicle action was driving straight ahead, which was the case for 1,497 vehicles (44.6% of all vehicles involved). Other frequent pre-crash actions included negotiating a curve (308 vehicles) and turning left (280 vehicles).

The front of the vehicle was the most common point of impact, recorded as 'Sector 12 (North)' for 926 vehicles, representing 27.6% of all vehicle impacts. The second most common impact point was the rear of the vehicle, 'Sector 6 (South)', which occurred in 463 instances.

For the 21 crashes involving pedestrians, the most common cited action for the pedestrian was 'No Improper Action,' recorded in 12 cases. Where an improper action was noted, 'Failure to Yield Right-Of-Way' was the most frequent, with 5 instances.

Among multi-vehicle collisions where the manner was specified, front-to-rear crashes were the most prevalent type, with 509 incidents, accounting for 40.9% of such collisions. Angle collisions were the second most common, with 384 incidents (30.9%).

Of the 4,661 people involved in crashes, the majority were drivers (3,214 people, or 69.0%). Passengers constituted the next largest group, with 1,129 individuals (24.2%). The data also included 21 pedestrians and 9 bicyclists.

Across all 4,661 people involved in crashes, 19 suffered fatal injuries (0.4%) and 680 sustained some level of injury (14.6%). The vast majority of individuals, 3,677 people, were not injured.

Among 3,799 vehicle occupants for whom safety equipment use was recorded, 3,364 were using a shoulder and lap belt. A total of 77 occupants were recorded as using no restraint system, representing 2.0% of this group.

Two-vehicle crashes were the most common configuration, accounting for 1,181 of the 1,990 total incidents (59.3%). Single-vehicle crashes were the next most frequent, with 723 incidents, representing 36.3% of all crashes.