317 CRASHES IN
IOWA, IA
2015

In 2015, all 3 fatalities and 95 of the 97 total injuries involved motor vehicle occupants. One pedestrian was injured, and no cyclists were killed or injured in reported crashes. An additional injury was recorded for a person classified as 'other non-motorist'.

Crash frequency in Clayton County peaked on Saturdays, which saw 58 incidents, closely followed by Fridays with 56. The most common time for crashes was the 6 p.m. hour, when 31 incidents occurred. While more crashes happened during daylight hours (108), a notable number of incidents, 73, occurred in dark conditions, with 62 of those on unlighted roadways.

Of the 317 crashes, the majority (77.9% or 247 incidents) were property-damage-only. Injury-involved crashes accounted for 22.1% of the total, comprising 6 serious injury, 29 minor injury, and 32 possible injury crashes. There were 3 fatal crashes during this period, which resulted in a total of 3 fatalities.

The most prominent contributing factor cited in crashes was 'Animal,' which was involved in 144 incidents, representing 45.4% of the total. Other leading factors included 'Lost Control' at 10.4% (33 crashes), 'Ran off road - straight' at 5.7% (18 crashes), and 'Driving too fast for conditions' at 5.4% (17 crashes). Together, these top four factors account for over two-thirds of all crashes with a determined cause.

A majority of crashes occurred in favorable conditions, with 116 incidents (36.6%) happening in clear weather and 118 (37.2%) on dry road surfaces. Crashes in daylight accounted for 108 incidents (34.1%). Adverse conditions played a role in a subset of crashes, with snow noted in 23 incidents and icy or frosty roads in 12 incidents. Crashes in darkness on unlighted roads were also significant, with 62 such events.

Among the 498 people involved in crashes with a recorded age, the 55-64 age group was most represented with 78 individuals, followed by the 26-34 group (76 individuals) and the 16-20 group (75 individuals). An analysis of the 396 vehicles involved shows that Chevrolet (including 'CHEV') was the most frequent make with 106 vehicles, followed by Ford with 72 vehicles, and Dodge (including 'DODG') with 45 vehicles.

Collisions with an animal was the most frequently cited major cause, contributing to 144 crashes. The next most common causes were drivers losing control (33 crashes), running off a straight road (18 crashes), and driving too fast for conditions (17 crashes). These four causes represent the circumstances for a significant majority of incidents.

The most common first harmful event was a collision with an animal, recorded in 144 crashes. Collisions with another vehicle in traffic was the second most frequent event, occurring 47 times. Run-off-road events were also prevalent, with 31 crashes involving a ditch and 26 involving an overturn or rollover.

The vast majority of incidents occurred at non-junction locations, with 133 taking place on straight or curved road segments without special features. In contrast, 36 incidents were recorded at intersections, with T-intersections being the most common type (21 incidents), followed by four-way intersections (10 incidents). Driveway-related incidents accounted for another 14 crashes.

Passenger cars were the most common vehicle type involved in crashes, with 176 units recorded. Light trucks and SUVs were also frequently involved, with 87 four-tire light trucks and 69 sport utility vehicles. Six motorcycles and six tractor/semi-trailers were also involved in crashes during this period.

A large majority of vehicles involved in crashes were in areas with no traffic controls present, accounting for 202 vehicles. For crashes where traffic controls were present, stop signs were the most common device, noted for 32 vehicles. A 'No Passing Zone' was the relevant traffic control for 12 vehicles.

Frontal impacts were the most common area of vehicle damage, with the direct front being the most damaged area on 69 vehicles. When including front corners, frontal impacts account for 118 vehicles. The top of the vehicle was the most damaged area in 25 cases, suggesting rollovers, while rear impacts were noted as the primary damage area for 18 vehicles.

Impairment was a factor in 14 crashes, representing 4.4% of all incidents. Of these, 12 crashes involved alcohol, while 2 involved a combination of alcohol and drugs. These figures represent the minimum number of crashes where impairment was officially recorded.

Crash distribution across municipalities in Clayton County was led by Marquette, which recorded 28 incidents. Elkader had the second-highest volume with 15 crashes, followed by Guttenberg with 13 crashes and Monona with 12. Several other towns, including McGregor, Edgewood, and Clayton, recorded smaller numbers of incidents.

Crashes were predominantly on paved roads, with 275 incidents occurring on such surfaces. However, a notable 39 crashes, or 12.4% of the total where surface type was specified, occurred on unpaved gravel or dirt roads, reflecting the county's rural road network.

In a minority of crashes, a roadway factor was cited as a contributor. The most common was 'Surface condition (e.g. wet, icy),' which was noted in 38 incidents. Other factors such as debris or ruts were cited infrequently, each contributing to fewer than five crashes.

While most drivers were recorded as 'apparently normal,' impairment and fatigue were the leading alternative driver conditions noted. Fourteen drivers were identified as being under the influence of alcohol. Additionally, 7 drivers were noted as being asleep or fatigued, and 4 were recorded as being in an emotional state.

The estimated property damage for the majority of crashes fell into the '$1,500 - $7,500' category, which included 248 incidents. A smaller number of crashes resulted in more significant damage, with 54 incidents estimated between $7,500 and $25,000, and 6 crashes causing damage estimated at over $25,000.

Single-vehicle crashes, categorized as 'Non-collision,' were the dominant manner of collision, accounting for 195 incidents or 61.5% of the total. The next most frequent type was a rear-end collision, which occurred in 30 crashes (9.5%). Head-on collisions were reported in 6 incidents.

Among vehicles involved in crashes, the most common pre-crash action was 'Movement essentially straight,' recorded for 197 vehicles. Turning left was the action for 22 vehicles, while 12 vehicles were slowing or stopping and another 12 were negotiating a curve just before their respective incidents.

Of the 498 individuals involved in crashes, the vast majority were drivers, accounting for 468 people (94.0%). Passengers comprised 28 of the individuals involved. The data also includes one pedestrian and one person classified as an 'other non-motorist'.

Across all 498 people involved in crashes, 3 individuals sustained fatal injuries. A total of 97 people were injured, with 7 classified as serious injuries, 40 as minor injuries, and 50 as possible injuries. The remaining individuals were either not injured or had an unknown injury status.

Among the 84 vehicle occupants for whom safety equipment use was recorded, 66 (78.6%) were using a shoulder and lap belt. Conversely, 14 individuals, or 16.7% of this subset, were recorded as using no restraints at the time of the crash.

Single-vehicle crashes were the most common type, accounting for 243 of the 317 total incidents (76.6%). Crashes involving two vehicles numbered 69, while multi-vehicle pileups were rare, with only 5 crashes involving three vehicles.