1,080 CRASHES IN
IOWA, IA
2015

Motorists comprised the vast majority of casualties, with 3 individuals killed and 322 injured in 2015. One pedestrian was killed and 5 others were injured. While no cyclists were killed, 6 sustained injuries. These figures highlight the risks faced by all road users, particularly vulnerable pedestrians and cyclists.

Crash frequency in Dallas County peaked on Wednesdays, which saw 181 incidents over the year. The most hazardous time of day was the 5 p.m. hour, with 125 crashes, indicating a strong correlation with the evening commute. Overall, a majority of crashes, 671 or 62.1%, occurred during daylight hours.

The vast majority of crashes, 835 incidents or 77.3%, resulted in no injuries. Injury-involved crashes accounted for 22.3% of the total, comprising 23 serious injury, 85 minor injury, and 133 possible injury crashes. Four separate crashes were fatal, leading to a total of 4 fatalities recorded for the year.

The leading contributing factor identified in crashes was the presence of an animal on the roadway, accounting for 178 incidents (16.5%). Following this, driver behaviors such as following too closely (152 crashes, 14.1%) and driving too fast for conditions (85 crashes, 7.9%) were the next most common causes. Failure to yield the right-of-way from a stop sign was a factor in 64 crashes (5.9%).

A majority of crashes occurred in favorable conditions, with 62.1% (671 crashes) happening in daylight, 61.8% (667 crashes) on dry road surfaces, and 51.9% (561 crashes) in clear weather. Adverse weather was a factor in a smaller share of incidents, with 79 crashes occurring during rain and 75 during snow. Wet road surfaces were present in 125 crashes, while snow or ice was a factor in 130 incidents.

Among persons involved in crashes, the 26-34 age group was the most represented, with 411 individuals, followed by the 35-44 age group with 362 individuals. Analysis of the 1,872 vehicles involved shows that Chevrolet (335 vehicles) and Ford (308 vehicles) were the most frequent makes. Toyota and Dodge vehicles were each involved in 130 crashes.

The primary reported cause for crashes in Dallas County was an animal in the roadway, cited in 178 incidents (16.5%). Driver error followed, with 'followed too close' listed in 152 crashes (14.1%) and 'driving too fast for conditions' in 85 crashes (7.9%). 'Failure to yield right-of-way from a stop sign' was the major cause in 64 crashes (5.9%).

The most common first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in traffic, which occurred in 634 crashes, or 58.7% of the total. The second most frequent event was a collision with an animal, accounting for 175 incidents (16.2%). Collisions with fixed objects like cable barriers (45 crashes), ditches (35 crashes), and utility poles (18 crashes) were also significant.

Nearly half of all crashes, 527 incidents or 48.8%, occurred at non-junction locations along a roadway. Four-way intersections were the most common type of junction for crashes, accounting for 239 incidents (22.1%). T-intersections were the site of 64 crashes, representing 5.9% of the total.

Of the 1,872 vehicles involved in crashes, passenger cars were the most common type, accounting for 909 vehicles (48.6%). Sport utility vehicles were the next most frequent with 440 vehicles (23.5%), followed by four-tire light trucks and pickups at 267 vehicles (14.3%). Tractor-trailers were involved in 57 crashes (3.0%) and motorcycles in 15 crashes (0.8%).

For vehicles involved in crashes, the majority (56.1% or 1,050 vehicles) were in areas with no traffic controls present. Where controls were present, traffic signals were the most common, governing 434 vehicles (23.2%). Stop signs were a factor for 166 vehicles (8.9%) involved in collisions.

Analysis of vehicle damage points shows that frontal impacts were the most common, with the primary damage area being the front for 521 vehicles and front corners for another 266 vehicles. Rear impacts were the next most frequent, with 319 vehicles sustaining primary damage to the rear, which is consistent with the high number of reported rear-end collisions.

Impairment was a factor in 28 crashes, representing 2.6% of all incidents in 2015. Among the 23 drivers specifically identified as impaired, alcohol was the sole factor for 21 individuals. One driver was impaired by drugs, and another by a combination of alcohol and drugs.

Crash distribution within the county was concentrated in its larger municipalities. West Des Moines recorded the highest volume with 277 crashes, followed by Waukee with 193. Other cities with significant crash counts include Perry (74), Adel (54), and Clive (47).

The vast majority of crashes, 1,021 incidents, occurred on paved roadways. A smaller but notable number of crashes, 53 incidents or 4.9% of the total where surface type was recorded, took place on unpaved surfaces such as gravel or dirt roads.

Among crashes where a roadway factor was cited, adverse surface conditions such as wet or icy roads were the leading contributor, noted in 116 incidents. Work zones were identified as a roadway-related factor in 15 crashes. Other less frequent factors included debris on the roadway (3 crashes) and slippery or worn surfaces (6 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 31 drivers. Emotional state, such as anger or depression, was noted for 14 drivers, while fatigue or falling asleep was a factor for 12 drivers. A medical condition was cited for 10 drivers.

The estimated property damage for most crashes fell into the $1,500 to $7,500 range, which accounted for 756 incidents (70.0%). A smaller number of crashes resulted in higher damage, with 277 (25.6%) estimated between $7,500 and $25,000, and 21 crashes (1.9%) exceeding $25,000 in damages.

The most frequent crash types were non-collision single-vehicle incidents, such as running off the road, which accounted for 333 crashes (30.8%), and rear-end collisions, which numbered 314 (29.1%). Broadside collisions were the third most common manner of collision, occurring in 155 incidents (14.4%).

Of the 1,872 vehicles involved in crashes, a majority (1,081 vehicles or 57.7%) were moving straight ahead just prior to the collision. Other common pre-crash actions included slowing or stopping (144 vehicles), turning left (140 vehicles), and being stopped in traffic (128 vehicles).

Among the 12 pedestrians and cyclists involved in crashes, the most common action at the time of the collision was entering or crossing the roadway, which was reported for 7 individuals. Two individuals were moving along the roadway with traffic when the crash occurred.

Of the 2,216 people involved in crashes, the overwhelming majority were drivers, accounting for 2,133 individuals (96.3%). Passengers made up 71 of the total persons involved. A small fraction consisted of vulnerable road users, with 6 pedestrians and 6 cyclists involved in incidents.

Among all 2,216 people involved in crashes, 337 individuals sustained some level of injury or were killed, representing 15.2% of the total. This includes 4 fatalities, 25 serious injuries, 120 minor injuries, and 188 possible injuries. The data also indicates 7 non-fatal injuries were recorded as 'None', suggesting they were evaluated and found to be uninjured.

Data on safety equipment use was recorded for a subset of 242 vehicle occupants. Within this group, 220 individuals were reported as using a shoulder and lap belt. However, 16 occupants, or 6.6% of this recorded group, were not using any safety restraints at the time of the crash.

Two-vehicle collisions were the most common scenario, accounting for 604 crashes or 55.9% of the total. Single-vehicle crashes were also frequent, with 390 incidents representing 36.1% of all crashes. Multi-vehicle pileups involving three or more vehicles were less common, with 74 crashes involving three vehicles and 12 crashes involving four or more.