335 CRASHES IN
IOWA, IA
2015

In 2015, motorists accounted for all traffic fatalities and the vast majority of injuries in Fayette County, with 2 motorists killed and 107 injured. There were no pedestrian fatalities or injuries recorded. Two cyclists were injured in crashes, but none were killed.

Crash frequency in Fayette County peaked on Saturdays, with 57 incidents recorded in 2015. The most common time for crashes was the 5 p.m. hour, which saw 27 collisions. Analysis of lighting conditions shows that 137 crashes occurred during daylight, while 80 crashes happened in dark conditions and 14 occurred during dawn or dusk.

Of the 335 crashes in 2015, the majority (75.8% or 254 incidents) resulted in no injuries. Injury-related crashes, including serious, minor, and possible injuries, accounted for 79 incidents. There were 2 fatal crashes, representing 0.6% of the total, which resulted in 2 fatalities.

The most frequently cited contributing factor in Fayette County crashes was 'Animal,' involved in 128 incidents, or 38.2% of all crashes. Following this, 'Lost Control' was noted in 33 crashes (9.9%), while 'Ran off road - straight' and 'Driving too fast for conditions' were each cited in 17 crashes (5.1%).

A significant portion of crashes occurred in favorable conditions, with 143 incidents happening in clear weather, 153 on dry road surfaces, and 137 during daylight. Adverse conditions were also a factor, with 17 crashes occurring in rain and another 17 in snow. Road surface conditions included 29 crashes on wet roads, 21 on snow, and 17 on ice or frost.

The age groups most frequently involved in crashes were 16-20 year olds (88 persons), 26-34 year olds (84 persons), and 45-54 year olds (83 persons). Among the 458 vehicles involved, the most common makes were Chevrolet (104 vehicles), Ford (83 vehicles), and Dodge (48 vehicles).

The leading major cause of crashes was interactions with animals, cited in 128 incidents (38.2% of the total). 'Lost Control' was the second most common cause, contributing to 33 crashes (9.9%). 'Ran off road - straight' and 'Driving too fast for conditions' were each listed as the major cause for 17 crashes (5.1% each).

The most common first harmful event was a 'Collision with: Animal,' which initiated 127 crashes. The second most frequent event was a 'Collision with: Vehicle in traffic,' recorded in 91 incidents. Collisions with fixed objects were also common, including 40 crashes where the first harmful event was entering a ditch and 18 involving an overturn or rollover.

Crashes were more likely to occur away from intersections, with 130 incidents recorded at non-junction locations. Four-way intersections were the most common junction type for crashes, accounting for 62 incidents. An additional 15 crashes were related to driveway access.

Passenger cars were the most common vehicle type involved in crashes, accounting for 199 of the 458 vehicles. Light trucks and pickups were the second most frequent with 98 vehicles, followed by sport utility vehicles with 73. Commercial tractor-trailers were involved in 13 crashes, and motorcycles were involved in 8.

The majority of vehicles involved in crashes were at locations with no traffic controls present, a total of 242 instances. Where traffic controls were present, stop signs and traffic signals were the most common, each being a factor for 40 vehicles. Yield signs were noted in 10 instances.

The front of the vehicle was the most common area of damage, recorded in 89 cases. Side impacts were also frequent, with 26 incidents damaging the driver's side middle and 25 damaging the passenger's side middle. Rear impacts were noted in 27 crashes.

A total of 18 crashes were recorded with driver impairment as a factor, representing 5.4% of all crashes. Of these, 17 incidents involved alcohol, and one involved drugs. These figures should be considered a minimum, as impairment can be under-reported.

Within Fayette County, the city of Oelwein experienced the highest volume of crashes, with 69 incidents reported in 2015. West Union had the second-highest number with 26 crashes, followed by Fayette with 11. A significant number of crashes occurred in rural areas outside of any specific municipality.

The vast majority of crashes, 305 incidents, occurred on paved roads. Crashes on unpaved surfaces like gravel or dirt accounted for 29 incidents, representing approximately 8.7% of crashes where the road surface type was specified.

Roadway factors were cited as a contributor in a minority of crashes. The most common factor was 'Surface condition,' such as wet or icy roads, which was noted in 32 incidents. An additional 5 crashes were attributed to a 'Slippery, loose or worn surface.'

Among crashes where a specific driver condition other than 'apparently normal' was recorded, driving under the influence of alcohol was the most frequent, noted for 20 drivers. Fatigue or falling asleep was cited for 5 drivers, and an emotional state was a factor for 3 drivers.

The most common estimated property damage cost was in the $1,500 to $7,500 range, which applied to 254 crashes. High-damage crashes, with estimates of $25,000 or more, accounted for 10 incidents, or 3.0% of the total. A smaller number of crashes, 5 in total, resulted in damage estimated under $1,500.

Over half of all incidents were single-vehicle, non-collision events, accounting for 177 crashes or 52.8% of the total. Among multi-vehicle crashes, the most common type was broadside collisions, with 42 incidents (12.5%), followed by rear-end collisions with 28 incidents (8.4%).

The most common pre-crash action for vehicles was 'Movement essentially straight,' recorded for 267 vehicles involved in collisions. Turning maneuvers were the next most frequent actions, with 40 vehicles turning left and 17 turning right immediately before a crash.

Drivers constituted the vast majority of individuals involved in crashes, with 543 of the 570 people recorded being a driver. Passengers accounted for 25 individuals, and 2 people involved were bicyclists.

Of the 570 people involved in crashes, 2 sustained fatal injuries and 109 sustained non-fatal injuries. The injuries included 24 serious injuries, 51 minor injuries, and 34 possible injuries. The remaining individuals were not injured.

Among the 85 individuals for whom safety equipment use was recorded, 65 were using a shoulder and lap belt. Fourteen individuals were recorded as using no safety equipment at the time of the crash. Two individuals were noted as using a DOT-compliant helmet.

Single-vehicle crashes were the most common type, accounting for 219 of the 335 total incidents (65.4%). Two-vehicle crashes were the next most frequent, with 110 incidents (32.8%). There were 6 crashes involving three or more vehicles.