152 CRASHES IN
IOWA, IA
2015

Of the 81 individuals killed or injured, the vast majority were vehicle motorists, with 4 killed and 75 injured. One pedestrian was injured in a crash during this period. No cyclist fatalities or injuries were recorded in the data for 2015.

Crash frequency in Jackson County peaked on Fridays, which saw 25 incidents over the year. The single busiest hour for crashes was 3 p.m., with 15 recorded events. While a majority of crashes occurred during daylight hours (86 incidents), a significant number also happened in dark conditions, with 40 on unlit roadways and 10 on lit roadways.

Of the 152 total crashes, 95 incidents (62.5%) were classified as having no injuries. The remaining 57 crashes involved injuries of varying severity, including 10 serious injury crashes, 19 minor injury crashes, and 25 with possible injuries. There were 3 fatal crashes recorded, which resulted in a total of 4 fatalities, indicating at least one crash involved multiple deaths.

Severity is per crash event (most severe injury). 3 fatal crash events resulted in 4 persons killed.

The leading contributing factor cited in crashes was a driver losing control, which was noted in 28 incidents (18.4%). This was followed by vehicles running off a straight road, accounting for 23 crashes (15.1%). Collisions involving animals were the third most common factor, contributing to 11 crashes (7.2%).

The majority of crashes occurred in ideal driving conditions, with 95 incidents (62.5%) happening in clear weather and 85 (55.9%) on dry road surfaces. Similarly, 86 crashes (56.6%) took place during daylight hours. Adverse conditions were less frequent, with 16 crashes on snow, 12 on wet roads, and 11 during rain.

Among the 302 people involved in crashes, the 16-20 age group was the most represented, with 53 individuals, followed by the 45-54 age group with 45 individuals. An analysis of the 222 vehicles involved shows Ford was the most common make with 50 vehicles. Chevrolet vehicles (recorded as 'CHEVROLET' and 'CHEV') accounted for a combined 55 vehicles, and Dodge vehicles (recorded as 'DODGE' and 'DODG') accounted for 18.

The most frequently cited major cause of crashes was 'Lost Control,' accounting for 28 incidents. 'Ran off road - straight' was the second leading cause with 23 crashes, followed by collisions with an 'Animal' in 11 crashes. Failure to yield when making a left turn was cited in 8 crashes.

The most common first harmful event was a 'Collision with: Vehicle in traffic,' which occurred in 50 crashes. Single-vehicle incidents were also prominent, with 'Overturn/rollover' being the first harmful event in 22 crashes and striking a 'Ditch' in 18 crashes. Collisions with animals were the initial event in 10 crashes.

The majority of crashes, a total of 104, occurred at non-intersection locations, with 95 of those happening on straight or curved road segments with no special feature. In contrast, 31 crashes occurred at intersections, with four-way intersections being the most common type, accounting for 17 incidents.

Passenger cars were the most common vehicle type involved in crashes, with 92 vehicles recorded. Light trucks and SUVs were also frequently involved, with 50 four-tire light trucks and 37 sport utility vehicles documented. Commercial trucks and motorcycles represented a small fraction of the total, with 3 tractor/semi-trailers and 3 motorcycles involved in incidents.

Data indicates that the vast majority of vehicles involved in crashes were in areas with no traffic controls present, accounting for 179 of the 222 vehicles. For crashes where traffic controls were a factor, stop signs were the most common, present for 26 vehicles involved in collisions.

Frontal impacts were the most common area of damage, with the 'Front' being the most damaged area on 63 vehicles. Rear impacts were recorded for 21 vehicles. Side impacts were also notable, with the 'Driver side - middle' and 'Passenger side - middle' accounting for 15 and 13 vehicles, respectively.

Crash distribution within Jackson County was concentrated in its larger municipalities. Maquoketa recorded the highest number of crashes with 45 incidents. Bellevue followed with 9 crashes, while Andrew, Miles, and Preston each reported 2 crashes.

Of the crashes where road surface type was recorded, 116 occurred on paved roads. A significant portion, 34 crashes or approximately 22.7% of the total, took place on the county's unpaved road network.

In a minority of crashes, a roadway factor was identified as a contributor. The most common factor was 'Surface condition (e.g.wet, icy),' which was cited in 17 incidents. Other factors, such as shoulder issues and obstructions, were noted in fewer than 5 crashes each.

Among drivers for whom a condition other than 'apparently normal' was recorded, 'Asleep/fatigued' was the most common, noted for 9 drivers. Being 'Under the influence of alcohol' was the condition for 6 drivers, while 'Emotional' distress and 'Medical condition' were each noted for 3 drivers.

The most common range for estimated property damage was '$1,500 - $7,500,' which applied to 109 crashes. Thirty-one crashes resulted in damages between $7,500 and $25,000. Only two crashes were estimated to have damage costs exceeding $25,000.

Over half of all incidents, 83 out of 152, were non-collision or single-vehicle crashes, making this the dominant crash pattern at 54.6%. Among multi-vehicle crashes, rear-end collisions were the most frequent, accounting for 19 incidents (12.5%), followed closely by broadside collisions with 18 incidents (11.8%).

The most common pre-crash action for vehicles involved was 'Movement essentially straight,' recorded for 129 vehicles. 'Turning left' was the second most frequent action preceding a crash, noted for 23 vehicles, followed by 'Negotiating a curve' for 12 vehicles.

Among the 302 individuals involved in crashes, the vast majority were drivers, accounting for 279 people. Passengers made up the next largest group with 22 individuals. A single pedestrian was also involved in an incident.

Across all 302 people involved in crashes, a total of 80 individuals sustained some level of injury or were killed. This includes 4 fatalities, 11 serious injuries, 27 minor injuries, and 38 possible injuries. The remaining 222 individuals were not reported as injured.

Among the 48 participants with recorded safety equipment usage, 36 were noted as using a shoulder and lap belt. Eight individuals were documented as using no restraint system at all. One person was in a child safety seat and one was wearing a DOT-compliant helmet.

Single-vehicle crashes were the most common type, accounting for 84 of the 152 total incidents (55.3%). Two-vehicle collisions were the next most frequent, with 66 incidents recorded. A small number of crashes, just 2, involved three vehicles.