370 CRASHES IN
IOWA, IA
2015

Motorists comprised all 3 traffic fatalities and the vast majority of those injured, with 119 motorist injuries recorded. There were no fatalities among pedestrians or bicyclists. Two pedestrians and three bicyclists sustained non-fatal injuries in crashes during this period.

Crashes in Buena Vista County occurred most frequently on Fridays, with 75 incidents, and during the 5 p.m. hour, which saw 33 crashes. The majority of collisions, 235 incidents or 63.5% of the total, happened during daylight hours. Crashes in dark conditions, including both unlit and lit roadways, accounted for 81 incidents.

The vast majority of crashes, 275 out of 370 (74.3%), resulted in no injuries. There were 95 crashes that involved some level of injury, including 2 fatal crashes. These 2 incidents resulted in a total of 3 persons killed.

Severity is per crash event (most severe injury). 2 fatal crash events resulted in 3 persons killed.

The leading contributing factor identified in crashes was an animal, which was cited in 60 incidents (16.2%). Other primary factors included a driver losing control (30 crashes, 8.1%), driving too fast for conditions (24 crashes, 6.5%), and failure to yield the right-of-way from a stop sign (20 crashes, 5.4%).

Most crashes occurred in favorable conditions, with 60.3% (223 crashes) happening in clear weather and 56.5% (209 crashes) on dry road surfaces. Overall, 235 crashes, or 63.5% of the total, took place in daylight. Crashes during snowfall were reported in 27 instances, while 38 crashes occurred on snow-covered roads.

Among the 718 people involved in crashes, the 26-34 age group was the most represented demographic, with 114 individuals. An analysis of the 588 vehicles involved shows that the most frequent makes were Chevrolet (127 vehicles, combining 'CHEV' and 'CHEVROLET' entries), Ford (86 vehicles), and Dodge (49 vehicles, combining 'DODG' and 'DODGE').

The most frequently cited major cause of crashes was an animal, accounting for 60 incidents (16.2%). Other leading causes included a driver losing control (30 crashes, 8.1%), driving too fast for conditions (24 crashes, 6.5%), and failure to yield the right-of-way from a stop sign (20 crashes, 5.4%).

A collision with another vehicle in traffic was the most common first harmful event, occurring in 184 crashes, which is 49.7% of all incidents. The second most frequent event was a collision with an animal, noted in 60 crashes (16.2%). Running off the road into a ditch was the first harmful event in 33 crashes (8.9%).

The majority of crashes, 215 out of 370 (58.1%), occurred at non-intersection locations. Crashes at intersections accounted for 26.8% of the total, with 76 at four-way intersections and 21 at T-intersections.

Passenger cars were the most common vehicle type involved, accounting for 240 of the 588 vehicles in crashes. Sport utility vehicles (142 vehicles) and four-tire light trucks or pickups (105 vehicles) were also frequently involved. These three categories together represented 82.8% of all vehicles in collisions.

The data indicates that for a majority of vehicles involved in crashes, no traffic controls were present, with this being the case for 379 vehicles. Where controls were present, stop signs were the most common, associated with 73 vehicles, followed by traffic signals for 71 vehicles.

Frontal impacts were the most common area of vehicle damage, recorded as the primary impact point for 143 vehicles. When including front-corner impacts, a total of 242 vehicles sustained front-end damage. Rear-end damage was recorded for 50 vehicles, while side impacts were the most damaged area for 86 vehicles.

Ten crashes, or 2.7% of the total, were recorded as involving an impaired driver. Of these incidents, nine were attributed to alcohol and one was attributed to drugs.

Storm Lake accounted for the largest number of crashes among municipalities with 195 incidents. Considerably fewer crashes were recorded in Alta (12) and Sioux Rapids (11). A substantial number of incidents, 133 crashes, occurred in areas outside of any incorporated city limits.

The vast majority of crashes (346) occurred on paved roadways. Crashes on unpaved surfaces, such as gravel or dirt roads, accounted for 22 incidents, representing 6.0% of the crashes where road surface type was documented.

Among roadway-related contributing factors, adverse surface conditions such as wet or icy roads were the most frequently cited, contributing to 52 crashes. Work zones were noted as a factor in 2 incidents, and a slippery or worn surface was cited once.

In cases where a driver's condition was noted as something other than 'apparently normal,' being under the influence of alcohol was the most common, recorded for 8 drivers. An emotional state (e.g., depressed, angry) and a medical condition were each cited for 5 drivers, while fatigue or falling asleep was noted for 3 drivers.

The most common range for officer-estimated property damage was between $1,500 and $7,500, a category that included 280 crashes. Eight crashes were estimated to have caused property damage in excess of $25,000.

Single-vehicle, non-collision events, such as rollovers or running off the road, were the most common crash type, accounting for 147 incidents (39.7%). The next most frequent types were broadside collisions (66 crashes, 17.8%) and rear-end collisions (61 crashes, 16.5%).

Among the 588 vehicles involved in crashes, the most common pre-crash action was moving straight ahead, which was reported for 347 vehicles. The next most frequent actions were turning left (58 vehicles) and backing (31 vehicles).

Drivers constituted the overwhelming majority of individuals involved in crashes, accounting for 686 of the 718 people (95.5%). Passengers made up 3.8% of the total with 27 individuals. Pedestrians and bicyclists together represented less than 1% of all persons involved.

Out of 718 people involved in crashes, a total of 127 sustained some level of injury or were killed. This figure includes 3 fatalities, 1 serious injury, 39 minor injuries, and 84 possible injuries.

Based on the limited data available for 95 occupants, 91 (95.8%) were reported to have used a shoulder and lap belt. Only two occupants in this subset were recorded as not using any safety restraints.

Two-vehicle collisions were the most common crash configuration, accounting for 201 of the 370 incidents (54.3%). Single-vehicle crashes were the second most frequent type, with 161 incidents, representing 43.5% of the total.