209 CRASHES IN
BEREA, OH
2021

In 2021, there was 1 motorist killed and 51 motorists injured in crashes. Additionally, 5 pedestrians were injured, while no pedestrians or cyclists were killed. There were no reported injuries for cyclists during this period.

Crashes in Berea, OH showed peak occurrences on Mondays and Fridays, each with 39 incidents. The peak hour for crashes was 5 p.m., with 20 incidents recorded. The data indicates that 74.6% (156) of crashes occurred during daylight hours, while 18.2% (38) occurred in dark conditions.

Of the 209 crashes in Berea, OH, 80.9% (169 crashes) resulted in no injuries. Injury-causing crashes (fatal, serious, minor, possible injury) collectively accounted for 19.1% (40 crashes) of the total. There was 1 fatal crash, which resulted in 1 fatality, illustrating that a single crash can lead to one or more fatalities.

The majority of crashes occurred under favorable conditions, with 65.1% (136 crashes) happening in clear weather, 74.2% (155 crashes) on dry road surfaces, and 74.6% (156 crashes) during daylight. Adverse conditions such as rain or snow were present in 16.7% (35 crashes), and wet, snowy, or icy road surfaces were reported in 24.4% (52 crashes) of incidents.

The age group most frequently represented in crash data was 26-34, accounting for 73 persons. Among vehicle makes, Ford and Chevrolet were the most common, with 49 and 48 vehicles involved, respectively. Passenger cars were the dominant vehicle type, comprising 49.9% (192) of all vehicles involved in crashes.

The majority of crashes, 83.2% (174 crashes), occurred on the roadway. A total of 8.6% (18 crashes) happened off the travel lanes, including 9 on the roadside, 6 on the shoulder, and 3 in the median. An additional 13 crashes occurred outside the trafficway.

The most frequent traffic control condition for vehicles involved in crashes was 'No Control,' accounting for 52.5% (202 vehicles). Signalized locations were associated with 38.4% (148 vehicles) of involved vehicles. Stop signs were present for 8.1% (31 vehicles) of involved vehicles.

Among the contributing factors identified, 'Following too Close / ACDA' was the most common, associated with 64 drivers. 'Failure to Yield' was a factor for 34 drivers, and 'Other Improper Action' was noted for 17 drivers. These top three factors indicate common driver behaviors contributing to crashes.

A total of 9 crashes involved vulnerable road users, specifically pedestrians (5 crashes) and bicyclists (4 crashes). These combined incidents represent 4.3% of all crashes during the period. An additional 3 crashes involved motorcyclists.

Impairment was a factor in 15 crashes, representing 7.2% of all incidents. Alcohol was reported in 8 instances, a combination of alcohol and drugs in 4 instances, and drugs alone in 3 instances.

Abnormal driver conditions were noted for 28 drivers involved in crashes. This included 14 instances of drivers being under the influence of medications, drugs, or alcohol. Additionally, 9 drivers were reported as emotional, 3 as fatigued or having fallen asleep, and 2 with physical impairments.

Distraction was identified as a factor for 21 drivers in crashes. The most common specific distractions included other distractions outside the vehicle (7 drivers) and other distractions inside the vehicle (5 drivers). Communication device use, both hands-free and hand-held, was reported for 4 drivers.

A total of 6.2% (13 crashes) occurred on curves, with 8 on curve level and 5 on curve grade alignments. Crashes on grades, including straight grade and curve grade, accounted for 10.0% (21 crashes) of all incidents. The majority of crashes, 86.1% (180 crashes), occurred on straight, level roadways.

The most common pre-crash action reported for drivers was 'Straight Ahead,' accounting for 188 instances. 'Slowing or Stopped In Traffic' was the second most frequent action, with 56 instances. 'Making Left Turn' was also a notable action, reported for 41 drivers.

Rear-end collisions were the dominant crash pattern, accounting for 34.4% (72 crashes) of all incidents. Angle collisions were the second most frequent, making up 22.5% (47 crashes). Crashes not involving two vehicles in transport represented 21.5% (45 crashes).

Passenger cars were the most frequently involved vehicle type, accounting for 192 vehicles, or 49.9% of all vehicles. Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) were also significantly represented, with 98 vehicles involved. Commercial vehicles, including semi-tractors, cargo vans, single unit trucks, and buses, collectively comprised 5.5% (21) of all vehicles.

Drivers constituted the largest group of persons involved in crashes, totaling 352 individuals. Occupants accounted for 128 persons, representing 26.4% of all individuals. Pedestrians were involved in 5 incidents.

Among all persons involved in crashes, 1 person sustained fatal injuries, representing 0.2% of the total. A total of 56 persons sustained some level of injury (serious, minor, or possible), accounting for 11.5% of all individuals. The vast majority, 415 persons, sustained no injuries.

For persons with reported safety equipment use, 389 individuals used shoulder and lap belts. A notable 29 individuals were reported as using no safety equipment. Child restraint systems, including forward-facing and rear-facing, were used by 17 individuals.

The majority of crashes, 157 incidents, involved two vehicles. Single-vehicle crashes accounted for 20.6% (43 crashes) of the total. Multi-vehicle crashes involving three or more vehicles were less common, representing 4.3% (9 crashes) of all incidents.