82 CRASHES IN
IOWA, IA
2015

Motor vehicle occupants accounted for the vast majority of casualties, with 53 motorists injured in crashes during this period. The data also includes one cyclist fatality, one cyclist injury, and one pedestrian injury. No motorist fatalities were recorded.

Crashes in Mitchell County during 2015 occurred most frequently on Tuesdays, with 17 incidents, and during the 3 p.m. hour, which saw 8 crashes. The data shows a strong daytime pattern, with 62 of the 82 total crashes (75.6%) occurring in daylight conditions. Crashes were most common in January (11), September (10), and December (10).

Just over half of all crashes (51.2%) resulted in no injuries, involving only property damage. The remaining 48.8% of crashes involved at least one reported injury or a fatality. There was 1 fatal crash recorded, which resulted in 1 fatality.

The leading contributing factor identified in crashes was 'Failure to yield right-of-way at an uncontrolled intersection,' cited in 10 incidents (12.2%). Other frequently cited factors include 'Lost Control' (8 crashes), 'Driver Distraction: Other interior distraction' (7 crashes), and both 'Driving too fast for conditions' and 'Failure to yield from a stop sign' (5 crashes each).

The majority of crashes occurred in ideal driving conditions, with 69.5% happening in clear weather and 75.6% during daylight hours. Similarly, 64.6% of crashes took place on dry road surfaces. Adverse conditions were less frequent, with 12 crashes on icy or frosty roads and 5 crashes during snowfall.

Analysis of persons involved in crashes shows the 16-20 age group was the most represented, with 36 individuals, followed by the 55-64 age group with 28 individuals. The most common vehicle makes involved were Chevrolet (32 vehicles), Ford (21 vehicles), and Dodge (14 vehicles), based on combined data entries.

The most frequently recorded major cause of crashes was 'Failure to yield right-of-way at an uncontrolled intersection,' which was attributed to 10 incidents. Other leading causes included 'Lost Control' (8 crashes), 'Driver Distraction' from an interior source (7 crashes), and both 'Driving too fast for conditions' and 'Failure to yield from a stop sign' (5 crashes each).

The most common first harmful event was a 'Collision with a vehicle in traffic,' which occurred in 42 of the 82 crashes (51.2%). Run-off-road incidents were also significant, with 15 crashes involving a collision with a ditch and 8 resulting in an overturn or rollover.

A majority of crashes, 57 out of 82 (69.5%), occurred at non-intersection locations rather than at junctions. Four-way intersections were the most common junction type for crashes, accounting for 23 incidents. An additional 2 crashes were related to driveway access points.

Passenger cars were the most common vehicle type involved in crashes, accounting for 54 of the 127 vehicles, followed by sport utility vehicles (28) and four-tire light trucks (19). The data also includes the involvement of 5 tractor/semi-trailers and 2 motorcycles in these incidents.

For a significant majority of vehicles involved in crashes (104 of 127, or 81.9%), no traffic controls were present at the crash location. Where controls were present, 8 vehicles were at locations with traffic signals and 5 were at locations with stop signs.

The front of the vehicle was the most common area of impact, with 32 vehicles sustaining primary damage there, and an additional 27 vehicles damaged on the front driver or passenger side corners. Side impacts were also frequent, with 10 vehicles damaged on the driver's side middle, while only 4 incidents were recorded with the most damage to the rear of the vehicle.

Within Mitchell County, the city of Osage accounted for the largest number of crashes, with 31 recorded incidents. The towns of Mitchell, Riceville, and Saint Ansgar each reported 2 crashes, while Stacyville had 1. A significant portion of crashes occurred outside of any city's jurisdiction.

Crashes occurred predominantly on paved roads, which accounted for 69 of the 82 incidents. A notable portion, 13 crashes or 15.9% of the total, occurred on unpaved surfaces such as gravel or dirt roads.

In cases where a roadway factor was noted as a contributor, 'Surface condition (e.g. wet, icy)' was the most common, cited in 11 crashes. Other roadway factors included 'Obstruction in roadway' and 'Slippery, loose or worn surface,' each contributing to 2 crashes.

The most common estimated property damage cost per crash was in the $1,500 to $7,500 range, which applied to 52 of the 82 incidents (63.4%). A smaller number of crashes resulted in higher costs, with 5 crashes (6.1%) exceeding $25,000 in estimated damage.

Single-vehicle crashes, categorized as 'Non-collision,' were the most frequent type of incident, accounting for 37 of the 82 crashes (45.1%). Among multi-vehicle crashes, broadside collisions were the most common, with 20 incidents, followed by rear-end (8) and head-on (7) collisions.

The vast majority of drivers involved in crashes, 98 out of 127 (77.2%), were moving essentially straight prior to the collision. Far less common pre-crash actions included turning left (9 vehicles) and negotiating a curve (6 vehicles).

Drivers constituted the largest group of individuals involved in crashes, with 165 of the 184 people recorded (89.7%). Passengers accounted for 16 individuals (8.7%), while the remaining involved persons were two bicyclists and one pedestrian.

Across all 184 people involved in crashes, there was one fatality and five serious injuries recorded. An additional 50 individuals sustained minor or possible injuries, with 16 classified as minor and 34 as possible.

Among the 49 individuals for whom safety equipment usage was specified, 41 were reported as using a shoulder and lap belt. Four individuals were recorded as using no safety equipment, while two used only a lap belt and two used a DOT-compliant helmet.

Two-vehicle collisions were the most common scenario, accounting for 45 of the 82 crashes (54.9%). Single-vehicle crashes were also very frequent, making up the remaining 37 incidents, or 45.1% of the total.