625 CRASHES IN
OHIO, OH
2021

In 2021, all 11 traffic fatalities in Champaign County were motorists. A total of 238 motorists also sustained injuries. Among non-motorists, one pedestrian was injured. There were no recorded fatalities or injuries involving bicyclists during this period.

Crash patterns in Champaign County show a distinct weekly and daily rhythm. Fridays were the most frequent day for crashes with 112 incidents, while the afternoon commute period saw the highest concentration, peaking at the 4 p.m. hour with 60 crashes. Overall, 389 crashes, or 62.2%, occurred during daylight hours, compared to 191 in dark conditions and 36 during dawn or dusk.

The majority of crashes, 458 out of 625, resulted in no injuries, accounting for 73.3% of all incidents. Crashes involving injuries (possible, minor, or serious) numbered 159, or 25.4% of the total. There were 8 fatal crashes, which resulted in a total of 11 individual fatalities, as a single crash can involve more than one death.

Severity is per crash event (most severe injury). 8 fatal crash events resulted in 11 persons killed.

The predominant environmental conditions at the time of crashes were favorable. A significant majority of incidents occurred in clear weather (423 crashes, 67.7%) and on dry road surfaces (471 crashes, 75.4%). Crashes during daylight hours accounted for 389 incidents, or 62.2% of the total. Adverse conditions were less frequent, with 67 crashes occurring in rain and 110 on wet roads.

Among the 1,252 people involved in crashes, the 26-34 age group was the most represented with 193 individuals, followed by the 16-20 age group with 174 people. Of the 1,019 vehicles involved, the most frequent makes were Chevrolet (183 vehicles), Ford (175 vehicles), and Honda (168 vehicles). These three makes collectively accounted for over half of the vehicles with a known make.

Analysis of the initial impact location shows that 505 crashes, or 80.8% of the total, occurred on the main roadway. A notable portion of incidents were run-off-road events, with 73 crashes (11.7%) happening on the roadside and 33 (5.3%) on the shoulder. In total, at least 106 crashes, representing 17% of all incidents, had their first harmful event occur off the primary travel lanes.

Of the 1,019 vehicle units involved in crashes, a majority of 706 (69.3%) were at locations with no traffic controls. Locations with stop signs were associated with 142 vehicle involvements, while signalized intersections accounted for 128. Crashes at roundabouts involved 40 vehicles.

Among driver-related actions cited as contributing factors, 'Failure to Yield' was the most common, noted for 132 vehicles. This was followed by 'Drove off Road' for 118 vehicles and 'Following too Close / ACDA' for 93 vehicles. These three factors represent the most frequently identified improper driving actions in the dataset.

A total of 35 commercial trucks were involved in crashes in 2021. These included 17 semi-tractor trailers and 18 other types of commercial vehicles, such as cargo vans or single-unit trucks.

In 2021, crashes involved a total of 18 individuals classified as vulnerable road users or motorcyclists. This group was composed of 12 motorcyclists, 3 bicyclists, and 3 pedestrians.

Crashes involving animals totaled 57 incidents in 2021. The vast majority of these, 54 crashes, were collisions with deer. An additional 3 crashes involved other, unspecified types of animals.

Impairment was a factor in 55 crashes, representing 8.8% of all incidents in 2021. Alcohol was suspected in 39 of these crashes, drugs in 11, and a combination of alcohol and drugs in 5.

Among the 940 drivers involved in crashes, 66 were noted as having a condition other than 'Apparently Normal'. The most common condition was being 'Under the Influence of Medications / Drugs / Alcohol', which was recorded for 36 drivers. An additional 14 drivers were reported to have fallen asleep or been fatigued, and 12 had a physical impairment.

Among 940 drivers, 56 were identified as being distracted at the time of their crash. The most common sources of distraction were 'Other distraction inside the vehicle' with 21 drivers and 'Other distraction outside the vehicle' with 15 drivers. Manually operating an electronic communication device was cited for 8 drivers.

The majority of crashes (452 out of 625) occurred on straight and level road segments. However, roadway geometry played a role in a number of incidents, with 128 crashes (20.5%) occurring on a grade and 63 crashes (10.1%) taking place on a curve.

The geographic distribution of crashes across Champaign County was heavily concentrated in the City of Urbana, which accounted for 316 of the 625 total crashes (50.6%). The townships of Union and Mad River followed with 45 crashes (7.2%) and 42 crashes (6.7%), respectively.

Examining the actions of the 1,019 vehicles prior to collision, the most common maneuver was driving 'Straight Ahead', which was reported for 564 vehicles. A significant number of vehicles were 'Slowing or Stopped In Traffic' (103 vehicles) or 'Making Left Turn' (80 vehicles) just before the crash occurred.

Single-vehicle incidents were the most common crash type, with 'Not Collision Between Two Vehicles in Transport' accounting for 319 crashes, or 51% of the total. Among crashes involving multiple vehicles, angle collisions were the most frequent, with 121 incidents (19.4%), followed by rear-end collisions with 99 incidents (15.8%).

Passenger cars were the most common vehicle type involved in crashes, accounting for 455 of the 1,019 vehicles. Sport Utility Vehicles (216 vehicles) and Pickups (195 vehicles) were also frequently involved. Combined, these three personal vehicle types represented 85.9% of all vehicles in crashes.

A total of 1,252 people were involved in traffic crashes. The majority of these individuals were drivers, accounting for 940 people or 75.1% of the total. Vehicle occupants (passengers) comprised another 309 people (24.7%), while 3 individuals were pedestrians.

Of the 1,252 people involved in crashes, 997 individuals, or 79.6%, sustained no injuries. A total of 250 people were either injured or killed, representing 20% of all persons involved. This includes 11 fatalities, 36 serious injuries, 132 minor injuries, and 71 possible injuries.

Among the 1,252 individuals involved in crashes, 'Shoulder and Lap Belt Used' was the most reported safety equipment status, with 998 instances. However, 88 individuals were recorded as having used no safety equipment at all. An additional 5 individuals, likely motorcyclists, were noted as using a helmet.

Two-vehicle collisions were the most common scenario, accounting for 345 of the 625 total crashes (55.2%). Single-vehicle crashes were also very frequent, with 256 incidents, making up 41% of the total. Crashes involving three or more vehicles were less common, with 24 such incidents recorded.