420 CRASHES IN
BEACHWOOD, OH
2021

In 2021, no fatalities were reported among pedestrians, cyclists, or motorists. Motorists experienced the highest number of injuries, with 216 individuals injured. Additionally, 5 pedestrians were injured in crashes, while no cyclists were reported injured.

Crash data for 2021 indicates that the highest number of crashes occurred on Fridays, with 75 incidents, and the peak hour for crashes was 3 PM, with 50 incidents. The majority of crashes, 317 out of 420, happened during daylight hours, while 90 crashes occurred in dark conditions (88 on lighted roadways and 2 on unlighted roadways).

Of the 420 crashes in 2021, 0 were fatal crashes. The majority, 267 crashes (63.6%), resulted in no injuries. Injury-involved crashes, encompassing serious, minor, and possible injuries, accounted for 153 incidents (36.4%) in total. It is important to note that while no fatal crashes occurred, the total number of fatalities (persons killed) may differ from fatal crashes, as one crash can involve multiple fatalities.

The majority of crashes in 2021 occurred under clear weather conditions (228 crashes), on dry road surfaces (300 crashes), and during daylight hours (317 crashes). Adverse weather conditions such as rain contributed to 44 crashes, and snow to 34 crashes, while wet road surfaces were present in 90 crashes and snowy surfaces in 23 crashes.

Among persons involved in crashes, the 26-34 age group was most represented with 196 individuals, followed by the 0-15 and 35-44 age groups, both with 138 individuals. Passenger cars were the most frequently involved vehicle type, accounting for 440 vehicles, with Sport Utility Vehicles being the second most common at 257. The most frequently reported vehicle makes, excluding 'OTHER/UNKNOWN', were Chevrolet with 66 vehicles and Toyota with 53 vehicles.

The vast majority of crashes, 390 out of 420, occurred on the roadway itself. A smaller proportion of crashes, 19 incidents, happened off the main travel lanes, specifically on the shoulder (8), in the median (6), or on the roadside (5), indicating some run-off-road incidents.

Among vehicles involved in crashes, 'No Control' was the dominant traffic control condition, associated with 620 vehicles. Locations with signal control accounted for 207 vehicles involved in crashes, representing 24.7% of vehicles with known traffic control. Conversely, uncontrolled locations (no control, stop sign, or yield sign) were associated with 629 vehicles, or 75.1% of vehicles with known traffic control.

The most frequently cited contributing factor among drivers was 'Following too Close / ACDA', accounting for 190 instances. Other significant contributing factors included 'Failure to Yield' with 57 instances and 'Improper Lane Change' with 44 instances. These top three factors collectively represent a substantial portion of reported improper actions.

Impairment was a factor in 13 crashes, representing 3.1% of all incidents. Among these, alcohol impairment was noted in 7 instances, a combination of alcohol and drugs in 4 instances, and drug impairment alone in 2 instances. It is important to consider that impairment is often under-reported, so these figures may represent a floor.

Among drivers involved in crashes, 13 were reported as being 'Under the Influence of Medications / Drugs / Alcohol'. Additionally, 2 drivers were noted as 'Emotional', 2 had 'Fell Asleep; Fainted; Fatigued; etc.', and 1 had a 'Physical Impairment'. These abnormal conditions were identified in 18 drivers out of 825 drivers with known conditions.

Distraction was identified as a factor for 30 drivers. 'Other distraction inside the vehicle' was the most frequent specific distraction, reported for 18 drivers. Operating an electronic communication device (4 drivers) and other distractions outside the vehicle (4 drivers) were also noted.

The majority of crashes, 388 out of 420, occurred on straight, level road alignments. Crashes on curves (Curve Level or Curve Grade) accounted for 14 incidents, representing 3.3% of all crashes. Additionally, 21 crashes occurred on grades (Straight Grade or Curve Grade), making up 5.0% of the total.

The most common pre-crash action reported for vehicles was 'Straight Ahead', accounting for 419 instances, or 50.0% of vehicles with known actions. 'Slowing or Stopped In Traffic' was the second most frequent action, with 203 instances (24.2%), followed by 'Making Left Turn' with 63 instances (7.5%).

Rear-end collisions were the dominant manner of collision, accounting for 191 crashes, which is 45.5% of all incidents. Angle collisions were the second most frequent, with 89 crashes (21.2%), followed by sideswipe collisions in the same direction, which occurred in 71 crashes (16.9%).

Passenger cars were the most common vehicle type involved in crashes, accounting for 440 vehicles. Sport Utility Vehicles followed with 257 vehicles. Commercial vehicles, including Semi-Tractors, Cargo Vans, Buses, and Single Unit Trucks, collectively comprised 29 vehicles, representing 3.5% of all vehicles involved.

Drivers constituted the dominant role among persons involved in crashes, with 825 individuals. Occupants (passengers) accounted for 312 individuals, representing 27.3% of all persons. Additionally, 5 pedestrians were involved in crashes, making up 0.44% of the total persons.

Among all persons involved in crashes, 0 fatalities were reported. A total of 221 individuals sustained injuries, representing 19.4% of all persons. This included 9 serious injuries (A), 63 minor injuries (B), and 149 possible injuries (C), while 894 persons reported no injuries.

The majority of individuals, 959, were reported to have used a shoulder and lap belt. However, 66 individuals were noted as using no safety equipment, representing 6.1% of those with known safety equipment usage. Additionally, various child restraint systems were used by 43 individuals.

The majority of crashes, 347 out of 420, involved two vehicles. Single-vehicle crashes accounted for 40 incidents, representing 9.5% of all crashes. A small number of multi-vehicle incidents included 30 crashes involving three vehicles, 1 crash involving four vehicles, and 2 crashes involving five vehicles.