325 CRASHES IN
IOWA, IA
2015

In total, two individuals were killed and 119 were injured in crashes. The casualties were primarily motorists, with 1 motorist killed and 118 injured. The county also recorded one pedestrian fatality and one cyclist injury, highlighting the risks to vulnerable road users.

Crash analysis for Harrison County reveals that Thursdays were the most frequent day for incidents, with 54 crashes, closely followed by Tuesdays with 53. The afternoon and evening commute times were peak periods, with the highest number of crashes occurring in the 6 p.m. hour (26 crashes) and the 3 p.m. hour (25 crashes). Over half of all crashes (184, or 56.6%) occurred during daylight hours.

Of the 325 total crashes, 236 (72.6%) resulted in no injuries, being classified as property-damage-only events. The remaining 89 crashes involved injuries of varying severity, including 14 with serious injuries (4.3%), 35 with minor injuries (10.8%), and 38 with possible injuries (11.7%). Two crashes were fatal, representing 0.6% of the total, which resulted in two persons killed.

The leading contributing factor for crashes in Harrison County was interactions with animals, cited in 72 incidents (22.2%). Following this, driver-related actions were prominent, including losing control (43 crashes, 13.2%), running off a straight road (29 crashes, 8.9%), following too closely (23 crashes, 7.1%), and driving too fast for conditions (21 crashes, 6.5%).

A majority of crashes occurred in seemingly favorable conditions, with 56.6% (184 crashes) happening in daylight and 56% (182 crashes) on dry road surfaces. Clear weather was reported for 153 crashes (47.1%). However, adverse conditions were also a factor, with 24 crashes occurring in snow, 20 in rain, 27 on icy roads, and 31 on wet surfaces.

Among the 577 people involved in crashes, the 45-54 age group was the most represented with 102 individuals, followed by the 26-34 group (80 people) and the 35-44 group (79 people). An analysis of the 453 vehicles involved shows Ford was the most common make with 90 vehicles, followed by Chevrolet (55 vehicles, plus 34 listed as 'CHEV'), and Dodge (23 vehicles, plus 13 listed as 'DODG').

The most frequently recorded major cause of crashes was an animal in the roadway, accounting for 72 incidents. Other primary causes included drivers losing control (43 crashes), running off a straight portion of the road (29 crashes), following too closely (23 crashes), and driving too fast for existing conditions (21 crashes).

The most common initial event in a crash was a collision with another vehicle in traffic, which occurred in 93 incidents. This was followed by collisions with an animal, recorded as the first harmful event in 72 crashes. Run-off-road events were also significant, including 42 collisions with a ditch and 34 non-collision overturns or rollovers.

The majority of crashes, 192 incidents or 59.1%, occurred on non-intersection segments of roadways. In contrast, 46 crashes took place at or were related to intersections, with four-way intersections being the most common type, accounting for 27 of these incidents. An additional 13 crashes happened at T-intersections.

Passenger cars were the most common vehicle type involved in crashes, accounting for 182 of the 453 vehicles. Light trucks and SUVs were also frequently involved, with 93 four-tire light trucks and 75 sport utility vehicles recorded. Commercial vehicles included 35 tractor-trailers, while 17 motorcycles were also involved in crashes.

A review of traffic controls present at crash locations indicates that the vast majority of incidents occurred where no controls were present, a situation noted for 333 of the vehicles involved. In cases where controls were present, stop signs were the most common, associated with 27 vehicles in crashes, followed by traffic signals with 11.

Analysis of vehicle damage indicates that frontal impacts were the most common, with the primary point of impact being the front for 99 vehicles and a front corner for another 69 vehicles. Rear-end collisions are suggested by the 31 vehicles that sustained damage to the rear. A significant number of vehicles also sustained side damage, indicating angle or sideswipe collisions.

Driver impairment was suspected or confirmed in 18 crashes, representing 5.5% of the total. Of the 16 cases where the substance was specified, alcohol was a factor in 14 incidents, and drugs were a factor in 2 incidents.

Within Harrison County, the highest volume of crashes occurred in Missouri Valley, with 56 incidents reported. Dunlap recorded the second-highest number with 19 crashes, followed by Woodbine with 17 crashes. A significant number of crashes occurred in unincorporated areas and were not attributed to a specific city.

The vast majority of crashes, 301 incidents, occurred on paved roadways. However, 23 crashes, representing 7.1% of the total where surface type was specified, took place on the county's unpaved road network.

In a minority of crashes, specific roadway factors were cited as contributors. The most common was the surface condition, such as wet or icy roads, noted in 48 crashes. Other factors included debris on the roadway, cited in 7 incidents, and roadway-related work zones, which were a factor in 4 crashes.

While most drivers were recorded as 'apparently normal,' several non-normal conditions were noted as potential factors. Fifteen drivers were reported as being under the influence of alcohol. Additionally, 5 drivers were noted as being asleep or fatigued, and 3 experienced a medical condition such as a seizure.

The estimated cost of property damage was most frequently in the $1,500 to $7,500 range, which applied to 236 crashes. A smaller but significant number of incidents resulted in higher costs, with 68 crashes causing damage between $7,500 and $25,000, and 13 crashes (4% of total) resulting in damage exceeding $25,000.

Single-vehicle crashes were the dominant collision type, accounting for 192 incidents, or 59.1% of all crashes. Among multi-vehicle incidents, rear-end collisions were the most frequent, with 38 crashes (11.7%), followed by broadside collisions, which occurred in 25 crashes (7.7%).

An analysis of vehicle actions prior to collision shows that the vast majority were engaged in normal driving maneuvers. Of the vehicles with a recorded pre-crash action, 267 were moving straight ahead. Far less frequent actions included turning left (25 vehicles), negotiating a curve (19 vehicles), and backing (18 vehicles).

Of the 577 people involved in crashes, the overwhelming majority were drivers, accounting for 541 individuals (93.8%). The remaining persons included 34 passengers, one pedestrian, and one bicyclist.

Among the 577 total persons involved in crashes, 2 suffered fatal injuries and 119 sustained some level of injury. The injuries included 16 classified as serious, 52 as minor, and 51 as possible. A small number of individuals (3) involved in injury crashes were recorded with no personal injury.

Among individuals for whom safety equipment use was recorded, 61 were noted as using a shoulder and lap belt. Conversely, 24 individuals were recorded as having used no safety restraints at the time of the crash. Additionally, 6 motorcyclists were wearing DOT-compliant helmets.

Single-vehicle crashes constituted the majority of incidents, with 202 crashes (62.2%) involving only one vehicle. Two-vehicle collisions were the next most common scenario, accounting for 118 crashes (36.3%). A small number of multi-vehicle pile-ups occurred, with 5 crashes involving three vehicles.