61 CRASHES IN
IOWA, IA
2015

In 2015, there were no fatalities among any road users in Winnebago County. A total of 28 motorists sustained injuries in crashes. Additionally, one pedestrian was injured during this period, while no cyclists were reported as injured or killed.

Crashes in Winnebago County occurred most frequently on Thursdays, which saw 15 incidents in 2015. The single busiest hour for crashes was the 7 p.m. hour, with 6 recorded incidents, though several afternoon and evening hours also saw high volumes. While the majority of crashes (35) happened during daylight hours, a notable number (21) occurred in dark or dusk conditions.

Of the 61 total crashes, 59% (36 crashes) resulted in no injuries, meaning they were property-damage-only events. The remaining 41% (25 crashes) involved at least one injury, categorized as serious, minor, or possible. There were no fatal crashes recorded in Winnebago County during this period.

The most frequently cited contributing factor was reckless, erratic, careless, or negligent vehicle operation, attributed to 7 crashes (11.5%). This was followed by drivers losing control (6 crashes, 9.8%) and failure to yield the right-of-way at an uncontrolled intersection (5 crashes, 8.2%). Driver distraction, specifically being inattentive or lost in thought, was noted in 3 incidents.

A majority of crashes occurred in ideal driving conditions, with 63.9% happening in clear weather and 65.6% on dry road surfaces. Most incidents (57.4%) also took place during daylight hours. Crashes in adverse weather, such as rain, snow, or severe winds, accounted for 10 incidents, while crashes on non-dry road surfaces like ice, snow, or wet pavement occurred in 11 instances.

Among the 119 people involved in crashes, the 26-34 age group was the most represented, with 25 individuals. The most common vehicle makes involved in these incidents were Ford, with 22 vehicles, and Chevrolet, with 20 vehicles. Toyota vehicles were involved in 4 crashes.

The primary major cause of crashes was identified as reckless, erratic, careless, or negligent driving, cited in 7 incidents. Losing control of the vehicle was the second most common cause, contributing to 6 crashes. Failure to yield the right-of-way at an uncontrolled intersection was the third leading factor, accounting for 5 crashes.

The most common first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in traffic, which occurred in 23 crashes (37.7%). Collisions with a fixed object were also frequent, with hitting a ditch being the most cited event in this category (12 crashes). Overturn or rollover events occurred in 6 crashes, and collisions with an animal were the first harmful event in 4 incidents.

Crashes were almost evenly split between intersection and non-intersection locations. A total of 28 crashes (45.9%) occurred at intersections, with four-way intersections being the most common type (18 crashes). An equal number of crashes (28) occurred at non-intersection segments of the roadway.

Passenger cars were the most frequently involved vehicle type, accounting for 38 of the 90 vehicles in crashes. Light trucks and pickups (17 vehicles) and sport utility vehicles (16 vehicles) were also commonly involved. Motorcycles were involved in 3 crashes, and one crash involved a tractor/semi-trailer.

The majority of vehicles involved in crashes were in areas with no traffic controls present, a situation noted for 62 of the vehicles with this data. Where controls were present, stop signs were the most common type, governing 10 vehicles involved in crashes. Traffic signals were a factor for 5 vehicles.

Frontal impacts were the most common area of damage, with 17 vehicles sustaining damage to the front and another 10 to the front passenger-side corner. Rear-end damage was noted for 8 vehicles. Side impacts were also significant, with 8 vehicles damaged on the passenger side middle and 4 on the driver side middle.

Within Winnebago County, Forest City had the highest volume of crashes with 17 incidents. Lake Mills followed with 8 crashes, and Buffalo Center reported 4 crashes. A significant number of the county's total crashes occurred outside of these specified municipal areas.

Crashes on unpaved roads, such as gravel or dirt, accounted for 12 of the 60 crashes where surface type was specified, representing 20% of these incidents. The majority of crashes, 48 in total, occurred on paved roadways.

In cases where a roadway factor was noted as contributing to a crash, the most common was the surface condition, such as being wet or icy, which was cited in 6 incidents. A slippery, loose, or worn surface was a factor in 2 crashes, and a work zone was noted as a roadway-related factor in another 2 crashes.

Among drivers for whom a condition other than 'apparently normal' was recorded, being under the influence of alcohol was the most frequent, noted for 8 drivers. Emotional states and medical conditions were each cited for 3 drivers. Additionally, 2 drivers were noted as being asleep or fatigued at the time of their crash.

The estimated property damage for the majority of crashes (48 incidents) fell within the $1,500 to $7,500 range. Eight crashes resulted in damages between $7,500 and $25,000. Two crashes were estimated to have caused property damage exceeding $25,000.

Single-vehicle crashes, classified as non-collisions, were the predominant type, accounting for 33 incidents or 54.1% of all crashes. Among multi-vehicle crashes, broadside (front-to-side) collisions were the most common, with 11 incidents (18%). Rear-end collisions occurred in 7 crashes, making up 11.5% of the total.

For the majority of vehicles involved in crashes, the pre-crash action was moving essentially straight, which was the case for 65 of the 90 vehicles (72.2%). Turning left was the next most common action, recorded for 9 vehicles. Slowing or stopping was the action for 3 vehicles prior to their crash.

Of the 119 individuals involved in crashes, the vast majority (115 people, or 96.6%) were drivers. Passengers accounted for 3 of the individuals involved, and one person was a pedestrian.

Out of 119 people involved in crashes, 29 sustained some level of injury. This included 4 individuals with serious injuries, 5 with minor injuries, and 20 with possible injuries. No fatalities were recorded among any persons involved in crashes during this period.

Among the 24 vehicle occupants for whom safety equipment use was specified, 6 individuals (25%) were not using any restraints at the time of the crash. The most common restraint used was a shoulder and lap belt, reported for 16 occupants.

Single-vehicle crashes were the most frequent type, accounting for 33 of the 61 total incidents (54.1%). Two-vehicle collisions were also common, with 27 incidents recorded. There was one crash that involved three vehicles.