526 CRASHES IN
IOWA, IA
2015

Motorists comprised the vast majority of casualties, with 1 motorist killed and 243 injured in 2015. There were no pedestrian or cyclist fatalities recorded during this period. However, 3 pedestrians and 4 cyclists sustained injuries in traffic crashes.

Crash frequency in Muscatine County peaked on Mondays, which saw 93 incidents throughout the year. The single busiest hour for crashes was the 3 p.m. hour, with 43 recorded events, indicating a significant concentration during the afternoon commute period. While over half of the crashes occurred during daylight (296 incidents), a substantial number, 136, took place in dark conditions.

The majority of crashes, 340 out of 526 (64.6%), resulted in no injuries and were property-damage-only events. The remaining 186 crashes involved at least one injury or fatality, with 23 classified as serious injury crashes and 1 as a fatal crash. This single fatal crash resulted in one death, though in some instances, a single crash can involve multiple fatalities.

The most frequently cited contributing factor in 2015 crashes was an animal in the roadway, accounting for 99 incidents (18.8%). Other leading factors included failure to yield the right-of-way while making a left turn and driving too fast for conditions, each cited in 38 crashes (7.2%). Losing control of the vehicle was also a significant factor, noted in 37 crashes (7.0%).

A majority of crashes occurred in favorable conditions, with 56.3% (296 crashes) happening in daylight and 59.5% (313 crashes) on dry road surfaces. Clear weather was reported for 279 crashes (53.0%). Adverse conditions still played a role, with 63 crashes occurring on wet roads, 30 in rain, and 29 during snowfall.

Among all individuals involved in crashes, the 16-20 age group was the most represented, with 173 people, followed by the 26-34 age group with 164 people. Analysis of the 851 vehicles involved shows that Ford was the most frequent make, appearing in 172 instances. Chevrolet vehicles (combining 'CHEV' and 'CHEVROLET' records) were involved in 166 crashes, and Toyota vehicles ('TOYT' and 'TOYOTA') were involved in 72.

The leading major cause attributed to crashes was the presence of an animal, cited in 99 incidents. Tied for the second most common cause were failure to yield while making a left turn and driving too fast for conditions, each contributing to 38 crashes. Losing control of the vehicle was the fourth leading cause, documented in 37 crashes.

The most common first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in traffic, which occurred in 267 crashes. Collisions with animals were the second most frequent event, recorded 95 times. Single-vehicle events were also prominent, including 34 overturns or rollovers and numerous collisions with fixed objects like ditches (34), trees (11), and utility poles (10).

Crashes were more likely to occur on non-intersection roadway segments, which accounted for 222 incidents. Intersections were also common crash locations, with 120 crashes at four-way intersections and 60 at T-intersections. In total, 193 crashes, or 36.7% of all incidents, happened at an intersection of some type.

Passenger cars were the most common vehicle type involved in crashes, accounting for 393 of the 851 vehicles. Light trucks and sport utility vehicles were also frequently involved, with 159 and 158 vehicles respectively. Commercial vehicles had a smaller but notable presence, with 25 tractor-trailers involved in incidents, as were motorcycles, with 14 involved.

The vast majority of crashes occurred in areas where no traffic controls were present, with 484 such instances recorded. For crashes at controlled locations, traffic signals were the most common device, present in 160 cases. Stop signs were the next most frequent form of traffic control, noted in 104 instances.

Frontal impacts were the most common type of vehicle damage, with the primary point of impact being the front in 246 instances. This suggests a high prevalence of head-on or front-to-object collisions. Rear impacts, indicative of rear-end collisions, were the second most common, noted in 87 cases, while side impacts were recorded 82 times between the driver and passenger sides.

Driver impairment was suspected in 25 crashes, representing 4.75% of all incidents in 2015. Alcohol was the primary substance involved, cited in 23 of these cases, while drugs were suspected in the remaining 2. These figures represent a minimum, as impairment is often under-reported in crash data.

Within Muscatine County, the city of Muscatine had the highest number of crashes, with 255 incidents. Far fewer crashes were recorded in other municipalities, with Wilton and West Liberty each reporting 12 crashes. Most other towns in the county, such as Atalissa, Conesville, and Fruitland, each recorded only 2 crashes.

The vast majority of crashes, 493 out of 525 with known road surface type, occurred on paved roadways. Crashes on unpaved surfaces like gravel or dirt roads were less common, accounting for 32 incidents, or 6.1% of the total. This highlights that while Iowa has an extensive unpaved road network, most crashes are concentrated on paved routes.

Among roadway-related contributing factors, adverse surface conditions such as wet or icy pavement were the most frequently cited, contributing to 59 crashes. Other roadway factors were noted far less often, with a slippery or worn surface cited in 5 cases and work zones contributing to just 2 crashes. For the majority of incidents, no roadway factor was identified as a contributor.

While most drivers were recorded as 'apparently normal,' a driver condition was noted in a subset of crashes. The most common non-normal condition was being under the influence of alcohol, recorded for 25 drivers. An emotional state, such as being depressed or angry, was noted for 13 drivers, while 3 drivers were identified as being asleep or fatigued.

The most common estimated property damage cost fell within the $1,500 to $7,500 range, which applied to 365 crashes. A smaller but significant number of crashes, 131, resulted in damages between $7,500 and $25,000. Only 15 crashes were estimated to have damages exceeding $25,000.

Single-vehicle, non-collision events, such as running off the road or overturning, were the most frequent crash type, accounting for 200 incidents (38.0%). The most common type of multi-vehicle crash was a rear-end collision, which occurred 100 times (19.0%). Broadside, or T-bone, collisions were the third most common manner, with 80 crashes (15.2%).

The most common pre-crash action for vehicles was moving essentially straight, which was recorded in 485 instances. Turning left was the second most frequent action, noted 111 times, often preceding angle or head-on collisions at intersections. Turning right and being legally parked were tied for the next most common pre-crash maneuvers, each recorded 35 times.

Of the 1,107 people involved in crashes, the vast majority, 1,038, were drivers. Passengers constituted the next largest group with 62 individuals. A small number of vulnerable road users were involved, including 4 bicyclists and 3 pedestrians.

Out of 1,107 total people involved in crashes, 250 sustained an injury and 1 person was killed. Among the injured, 27 suffered serious injuries, 88 had minor injuries, and 135 had possible injuries. The data shows that the majority of individuals involved in crashes were not injured.

Based on available data, 175 vehicle occupants were reported to be using a shoulder and lap belt at the time of the crash. Conversely, 23 individuals were explicitly noted as using no safety equipment. An additional 5 occupants were secured in child safety seats.

Two-vehicle collisions were the most common crash configuration, accounting for 267 of the 526 total incidents. Single-vehicle crashes were also very common, with 231 incidents, representing 43.9% of all crashes. Crashes involving three or more vehicles were infrequent, with only 28 such events recorded.