714 CRASHES IN
MONTGOMERY, MD
DECEMBER 2020

In December 2020, one pedestrian was killed in a crash. Additionally, 25 pedestrians and 4 cyclists sustained injuries. While no motorists were killed, 193 were injured in crashes during this period.

Crash occurrences in Montgomery County peaked mid-week, with Wednesday recording the highest number of incidents (126). The most frequent time for crashes was the 5 p.m. hour, which saw 58 collisions. Overall, crashes were most common during afternoon and evening hours, with a significant drop after 10 p.m.

The vast majority of crashes, 73% (521 incidents), resulted in no injuries. Injury-involved crashes, including possible, minor, and serious injuries, accounted for approximately 27% of the total. One crash during this period was fatal, resulting in one death.

The leading contributing factors cited in crash reports were overwhelmingly environmental. The most frequent factor was 'N/A, WET' with 59 incidents (8.3%), followed by 'RAIN, SNOW, WET' at 34 incidents (4.8%). 'ICY OR SNOW-COVERED, RAIN, SNOW' was the third most common factor, cited in 21 crashes (2.9%).

While a majority of crashes occurred in clear weather (63.7%) and on dry roads (58.5%), a notable number of incidents happened in adverse conditions. Rain was reported in 68 crashes and snow in 23. Crashes were split between daylight hours, which saw 359 incidents (50.3%), and various dark or low-light conditions.

Among the 1,248 vehicles involved in crashes, passenger cars were the most common type. The most frequently involved vehicle makes were Toyota (172), Honda (162), and Ford (132). The data on driver age distribution was not available.

In crashes where fault was assigned, the driver was determined to be at fault in 676 cases. This represents nearly 99% of the 685 incidents with a specified at-fault party. A non-motorist was found at fault in 7 incidents.

Among crashes occurring at specified intersection types, four-way intersections were the most common location, accounting for 229 incidents. T-intersections were the second most frequent site, with 125 crashes. Together, these two intersection types represented over 90% of crashes with a defined geometry.

Crashes were more likely to occur at or near a junction. A total of 265 crashes happened within an intersection, with another 83 classified as intersection-related. Crashes at non-intersection locations accounted for 155 incidents.

The most common road configuration at crash sites was a two-way, divided road with a positive median barrier, accounting for 311 incidents. Two-way, undivided roads were the location for 213 crashes. Roads with an unprotected painted median were a distant third, with 75 crashes.

The most frequently reported level of vehicle damage was 'Disabling,' which was noted for 494 vehicles. 'Functional' damage was reported for 345 vehicles, and 'Superficial' damage for 267. Forty-nine vehicles were reported as 'Destroyed'.

The data field for driver action primarily contains notes on environmental conditions rather than specific driver maneuvers. The most common entry was 'N/A, WET', recorded for 104 drivers. This was followed by 'RAIN, SNOW, WET' for 61 drivers and 'ICY OR SNOW-COVERED, RAIN, SNOW' for 37 drivers.

Among drivers reported as distracted, the most common issue cited was 'Looked But Did Not See,' which was recorded for 162 drivers. General inattentiveness or being lost in thought was the second most common distraction, noted for 27 drivers. 'Other Distraction' was cited for 23 drivers.

The most common first harmful event was a collision with another motor vehicle, which occurred in 487 crashes, representing 68.2% of all incidents. The next most frequent events were striking a fixed object (91 crashes) and hitting a parked vehicle (71 crashes). A collision with a pedestrian was the first harmful event in 24 incidents.

For vehicles involved in crashes, the most common point of impact was the front ('Twelve Oclock'), which was reported for 494 vehicles. The second most frequent impact point was the rear ('Six Oclock'), reported for 228 vehicles. These two areas accounted for the majority of initial impacts.

The most common action drivers were taking immediately before a crash was moving at a constant speed, which was the case for 522 vehicles. Slowing or stopping was the pre-crash action for 145 drivers, and making a left turn was reported for 122 drivers. These three actions account for over 60% of all reported pre-crash movements.

For the 27 pedestrians involved in crashes, the most common reported action was 'No Improper Actions,' cited in 18 cases. Other reported actions included 'Dart Dash' and 'In Roadway Improperly,' each noted in 3 instances. 'Inattentive' and 'Not Visible' were each cited twice.

The most frequent type of crash was a same-direction rear-end collision, accounting for 180 incidents or 25.2% of the total. Straight movement angle crashes and single-vehicle incidents were tied for the second most common manner of collision, each with 118 occurrences (16.5%).

The largest share of crashes, 294 incidents (41.2%), occurred at locations with no traffic controls present. Crashes at intersections with a traffic signal were the next most common, with 231 incidents. An additional 60 crashes occurred where a stop sign was the traffic control device.

Passenger cars were the most prevalent vehicle type involved in crashes, accounting for 873 of the 1,248 vehicles (70%). Sport utility vehicles were the second most common type with 108 involved, followed by pickup trucks with 53. Commercial vehicles like transit buses (30) and various trucks were also involved in a number of incidents.

Of the 1,282 people involved in crashes, one person sustained a fatal injury and 8 sustained serious injuries. Combined, these killed or seriously injured individuals represent 0.7% of all people involved. The majority of individuals, 1,056 people (82.4%), were not injured.

The majority of crashes involved two vehicles, with 431 such incidents reported, representing 60.4% of all crashes. Single-vehicle crashes were the next most common, with 230 occurrences (32.2%). Crashes involving three or more vehicles were less frequent, with 44 three-vehicle incidents and 6 four-vehicle incidents.