354 CRASHES IN
CIRCLEVILLE, OH
2021

Motorists accounted for all 2 fatalities and 94 injuries in 2021. Pedestrians sustained 6 injuries, with no pedestrian fatalities reported. There were no reported fatalities or injuries among cyclists during this period.

Analysis of crash timing reveals that Fridays experienced the highest number of incidents, with 74 crashes. The peak hour for crashes was 4 PM, recording 33 incidents. The majority of crashes, 68.6%, occurred during daylight hours, while 22.6% happened in dark conditions and 7.6% during dawn or dusk.

Out of 354 crashes, 2 incidents (0.6%) were fatal, resulting in 2 fatalities. A substantial 78.8% of crashes (279 incidents) were reported with no injuries. The remaining 21.2% (75 incidents) involved some level of injury, ranging from possible to serious.

Most crashes occurred under optimal conditions: 71.2% in clear weather, 82.5% on dry road surfaces, and 68.6% during daylight. However, 43 crashes occurred in adverse weather conditions such as rain, snow, or fog, and 60 crashes happened on wet, snowy, or icy roads. Additionally, 80 crashes took place during dark hours.

Among all persons involved, the 65+ age group was the most represented with 121 individuals, closely followed by the 21-25 age group with 114 individuals. Ford vehicles were involved in the highest number of incidents, totaling 113, with Chevrolet vehicles being the second most frequent at 94 incidents.

The majority of first harmful events, 297 incidents (83.9%), occurred on the roadway. A total of 31 crashes (8.7%) occurred off the main travel lanes, specifically on the roadside, shoulder, or in the median. This indicates a notable proportion of incidents involving vehicles departing the primary traffic path.

Of the 651 vehicles involved in crashes, 366 (56.2%) were at locations with no traffic control present. Conversely, 198 vehicles (30.4%) were involved in crashes at signalized intersections. Stop signs were present for 71 vehicles involved in crashes.

The most frequent contributing factors among drivers were 'Failure to Yield,' accounting for 81 instances (12.4% of all vehicles). 'Following too Close / ACDA' was cited in 68 instances (10.4%), and 'Drove off Road' was a factor in 35 instances (5.4%). These factors represent the primary improper actions contributing to crashes.

Commercial vehicles were involved in 13 incidents, representing 2.0% of all vehicles in crashes. This total includes 8 semi-tractor trailers and 5 other commercial vehicles. The presence of these larger vehicles in crashes is a key area for safety analysis.

Vulnerable road users were involved in a notable number of incidents. There were 6 pedestrians and 2 bicyclists involved in crashes, totaling 8 vulnerable road users. Crashes involving pedestrians or bicyclists constituted 2.3% of all crashes.

Animal-related crashes accounted for 18 incidents, representing 5.1% of all crashes. Of these, 16 involved deer, while 2 involved other types of animals. This highlights deer as the predominant animal involved in collisions.

Impairment was identified in 11 crashes, representing 3.1% of all incidents. Alcohol was a factor in 7 of these cases, while drugs were involved in 4 cases. These figures represent a baseline for impairment-related crashes, which may be under-reported.

A total of 19 drivers (3.2% of all drivers) were reported with abnormal conditions at the time of their crash. This includes 10 drivers under the influence of medications, drugs, or alcohol, and 3 drivers who fell asleep, fainted, or were fatigued. Additionally, 3 drivers had physical impairments, 2 were emotional, and 1 was ill.

Distraction was a factor for 42 drivers, representing 7.0% of all drivers involved in crashes. The most common distractions included other distractions inside the vehicle (16 instances) and other distractions outside the vehicle (13 instances). Additionally, 6 drivers were engaged in other activities with an electronic device, and 4 were manually operating an electronic communication device.

Roadway alignment data shows that 8 crashes (2.3%) occurred on curves, while 84 crashes (23.7%) took place on road grades. The majority of crashes, 263, occurred on straight, level road segments. This indicates that grades are a more significant factor than curves in crash incidence for this period.

The most common pre-crash action reported was 'Straight Ahead,' accounting for 367 vehicles (56.4%). 'Slowing or Stopped In Traffic' was the second most frequent action, with 80 vehicles (12.3%). Additionally, 56 vehicles (8.6%) were reported as 'Making Left Turn' immediately prior to the crash.

Rear-end collisions were the most common manner of collision, accounting for 94 incidents (26.6% of all crashes). Angle collisions followed closely with 89 incidents (25.1%). Additionally, 73 incidents (20.6%) were classified as 'Not Collision Between Two Vehicles in Transport,' indicating single-vehicle or non-motor-vehicle collisions.

Passenger cars were the most frequently involved vehicle type, accounting for 380 vehicles (58.4%) in crashes. Commercial vehicles, including semi-tractors, single unit trucks, cargo vans, and buses, collectively represented 27 vehicles (4.1%) involved in incidents. Sport Utility Vehicles and Pickups were also significantly represented.

Drivers constituted the largest group of persons involved in crashes, with 601 individuals (75.3%). Occupants accounted for 191 individuals (23.9%), representing passengers in vehicles. Pedestrians made up a smaller proportion, with 6 individuals (0.8%) involved in crashes.

Among all persons involved in crashes, 2 individuals (0.3%) sustained fatal injuries. A total of 100 individuals (12.5%) suffered some level of injury, ranging from serious to possible. The vast majority, 689 individuals, sustained no injuries.

Among participants with known safety equipment use, 88 individuals (11.8%) were reported as using no safety equipment. The majority, 551 individuals, used both shoulder and lap belts. Other forms of restraint, such as shoulder belt only, lap belt only, or child restraint systems, were used by a smaller proportion of participants.

Single-vehicle crashes accounted for 73 incidents, representing 20.6% of all crashes. The most common scenario involved two vehicles, with 267 such incidents. Additionally, 14 crashes involved three or more vehicles.