4,018 CRASHES IN
IOWA, IA
2015

Motorists comprised the largest group of individuals killed or injured, with 18 fatalities and 1,308 injuries. Crashes also resulted in 3 pedestrian fatalities and 35 pedestrian injuries. While no cyclists were killed, 24 were injured during the reporting period.

Crash frequencies in Scott County peaked on Fridays, with 665 incidents reported. The afternoon commute, particularly the 5 p.m. hour, was the most common time for crashes, with 377 events. Overall, a majority of crashes, 2,703 in total, occurred during daylight hours, with distinct peaks during morning and evening travel times.

The vast majority of crashes, 2,821 or 70.2%, resulted in no injuries. Injury-involved crashes, including serious, minor, and possible injuries, accounted for 1,179 incidents (29.3%). There were 18 distinct fatal crashes, which resulted in a total of 21 fatalities, as a single crash can involve more than one death.

Severity is per crash event (most severe injury). 18 fatal crash events resulted in 21 persons killed.

The leading contributing factor identified in crashes was 'Followed too close,' cited in 602 incidents, or 15% of the total. The second most common factor was a vehicle running off the road to the left, which occurred in 408 crashes (10.2%). Failure to yield the right-of-way while making a left turn was the third leading cause, contributing to 271 crashes (6.7%).

A substantial majority of crashes occurred in favorable conditions. Specifically, 70.4% of incidents (2,829 crashes) happened on dry road surfaces, 67.3% (2,703 crashes) in daylight, and 60.3% (2,425 crashes) in clear weather. Crashes in adverse conditions included 312 in rain, 145 in snow, and 1,016 in dark or low-light conditions.

Among all persons involved in crashes, the 26-34 age group was the most represented, with 1,424 individuals. The 35-44 age group followed with 1,276 people, and the 16-20 age group with 1,171. The most frequent vehicle makes involved in these incidents were Ford (1,387 vehicles), Chevrolet (1,253 vehicles), and Toyota (602 vehicles).

The most common major cause of crashes was 'Followed too close,' which was cited in 602 incidents (15.0%). Running off the road to the left was the second-leading cause, accounting for 408 crashes (10.2%). Failure to yield while making a left turn contributed to 271 crashes (6.7%), followed by running a traffic signal in 220 crashes (5.5%).

The predominant first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in traffic, which occurred in 2,804 crashes. Collisions with fixed objects were also common, including 110 crashes involving a utility or light pole and 74 crashes where a vehicle entered a ditch. Additionally, 200 crashes were initiated by a collision with an animal.

Crashes were split between non-intersection and intersection locations. Approximately 45.6% of crashes (1,831) occurred at non-junction segments of the roadway. Four-way intersections were the most common type of junction for crashes, accounting for 1,056 incidents, followed by T-intersections with 332 incidents.

Passenger cars were the most prevalent vehicle type involved in crashes, accounting for 3,874 of the 7,583 vehicles. Sport utility vehicles were the second most common with 1,719 vehicles, followed by light trucks and pickups with 928 vehicles. The data also includes 140 tractor-semi-trailers and 62 motorcycles involved in collisions.

Of the 7,583 vehicles involved in crashes, a majority (4,250) were at locations with no traffic controls present. For vehicles at locations with controls, traffic signals were the most common, governing 2,289 vehicles involved in incidents. Stop signs were present for 634 vehicles involved in crashes.

The most frequently damaged area on vehicles was the front, recorded for 2,047 vehicles, consistent with front-to-rear collisions. The rear of the vehicle was the most damaged area in 1,156 cases, further indicating a high prevalence of rear-end crashes. Side impacts were also notable, with the driver's side middle (431 vehicles) and passenger's side middle (314 vehicles) being common points of damage.

A total of 143 crashes involved a driver flagged for impairment, representing 3.6% of all crashes. Alcohol was the primary substance noted, involved in 140 of these incidents. Drugs were a factor in 2 crashes, and a combination of alcohol and drugs was noted in one crash.

Crash distribution within Scott County was concentrated in its larger municipalities. Davenport accounted for the vast majority of incidents with 3,057 crashes. Bettendorf recorded the second-highest number with 520 crashes, followed by Le Claire with 54 crashes and Eldridge with 46.

The overwhelming majority of crashes occurred on paved roadways, with 3,971 incidents reported. Crashes on unpaved surfaces like gravel or dirt roads were infrequent, accounting for only 35 incidents, or approximately 0.9% of the total where surface type was specified.

Among crashes where a roadway factor was cited, adverse surface conditions such as wet or icy pavement were the most common, contributing to 354 incidents. Work zone-related factors were noted in 80 crashes. Other less frequent factors included debris in the roadway (8 crashes) and traffic backups (11 crashes).

In cases where a driver's condition was noted as something other than 'apparently normal,' being under the influence of alcohol was the most frequent, recorded for 177 drivers. The next most common conditions were being asleep or fatigued (57 drivers), emotional distress (32 drivers), and suffering from a medical condition (29 drivers).

The most common estimated property damage cost was in the '$1,500 - $7,500' range, which applied to 3,023 crashes, or 75.2% of the total. High-damage incidents, estimated at '$25,000+' per crash, were less common, accounting for 60 crashes (1.5%). Another 816 crashes (20.3%) fell into the '$7,500 - $25,000' damage category.

Rear-end collisions were the most frequent type of crash, accounting for 1,253 incidents or 31.2% of the total. Single-vehicle, non-collision events, such as running off the road, were the second most common category with 766 incidents (19.1%). Broadside collisions were also prevalent, occurring in 734 crashes (18.3%).

Among the 7,583 vehicles involved in crashes, the most common pre-crash action was moving straight ahead, reported for 3,973 vehicles. Turning left was the next most frequent action, with 834 vehicles engaged in this maneuver before impact. Slowing or stopping was the third most common action, noted for 571 vehicles.

For the 64 non-motorists (pedestrians and cyclists) involved in crashes, the most common action at the time of the incident was entering or crossing the roadway. This action was recorded for 45 of the individuals. Other actions, such as moving along the roadway or on a sidewalk, were reported in much smaller numbers.

Of the 9,168 people involved in crashes, the vast majority (8,762, or 95.6%) were drivers. Passengers constituted the next largest group with 342 individuals. The data also includes 38 pedestrians and 24 bicyclists who were involved in traffic incidents.

Out of 9,168 total persons involved in crashes, 1,369 sustained an injury and 21 were killed. The injuries included 63 serious injuries, 352 minor injuries, and 954 possible injuries. These figures highlight the human impact of the reported traffic incidents.

Among the 1,093 vehicle occupants for whom safety equipment use was recorded, 976 (89.3%) were noted as using a shoulder and lap belt. A total of 74 occupants, representing 6.8% of this group, were recorded as using no safety equipment at the time of the crash.

Two-vehicle collisions were the most common type of incident, accounting for 2,897 crashes or 72.1% of the total. Single-vehicle crashes were the next most frequent, with 816 incidents (20.3%). Crashes involving three or more vehicles were less common, making up 7.6% of all reported incidents.