868 CRASHES IN
GARFIELD HEIGHTS, OH
2021

Motorists experienced the highest impact, with 2 killed and 353 injured in crashes during 2021. Pedestrians accounted for 12 injuries and 0 fatalities. Cyclists had 0 injuries and 0 fatalities reported.

Crashes in Garfield Heights peaked on Fridays with 154 incidents, and the peak hour for crashes was 3 PM with 79 incidents. The majority of crashes, 552, occurred during daylight conditions, compared to 281 crashes that occurred in dark conditions (lighted or unlighted roadways).

Of the 868 crashes, 611 (70.4%) resulted in no injuries, while 255 crashes (29.4%) involved some level of injury. There were 2 fatal crashes, which resulted in 2 persons killed. The number of persons killed may differ from the number of fatal crashes, as a single crash can involve multiple fatalities.

The majority of crashes occurred under clear weather conditions (442 incidents) and on dry road surfaces (656 incidents). Daylight was the predominant lighting condition, accounting for 552 crashes. Conversely, 135 crashes occurred in adverse weather conditions (rain, snow, sleet, freezing rain, or severe crosswinds), and 209 crashes occurred on wet, snowy, icy, or standing water road surfaces.

The age group 26-34 was most represented among persons involved in crashes, with 379 individuals. Chevrolet vehicles were involved in the highest number of incidents, with 252 occurrences, followed by Ford with 218 vehicles. Passenger Cars were the dominant vehicle type involved in crashes, accounting for 942 incidents.

The vast majority of crashes, 780 incidents (89.9%), occurred on the roadway. A total of 77 crashes (8.9%) occurred off the travel lanes, including on the shoulder, outside the trafficway, on the roadside, on or off ramps, or in the median, indicating run-off-road incidents.

The dominant traffic control present at crash locations was 'No Control,' accounting for 1136 instances. Crashes at signalized locations (Signal or Flasher) represented 24.3% of reported traffic control instances. Conversely, locations with no control, stop signs, or yield signs accounted for 75.7% of reported traffic control instances.

The leading contributing factor identified in crashes was 'Following too Close / ACDA,' with 227 instances, representing 20.9% of all reported factors. 'Failure to Yield' was the second most common factor, accounting for 137 instances (12.6%), followed by 'Other Improper Action' with 123 instances (11.3%).

A total of 78 commercial vehicles were involved in crashes, representing 9.0% of all crashes. This included 48 'Other Commercial Vehicles' and 30 'Semi-Tractor Trailers'.

Crashes involving vulnerable road users, specifically pedestrians and bicyclists, totaled 16 incidents, representing 1.8% of all crashes. This included 11 pedestrian-involved crashes and 5 bicyclist-involved crashes.

A total of 45 instances of abnormal driver conditions were reported, accounting for 3.0% of all driver condition entries. The most frequent abnormal condition was 'Under the Influence of Medications / Drugs / Alcohol,' with 27 instances. Other reported conditions included physical impairment, illness, falling asleep/fatigue, and emotional distress.

There were 29 reported instances of driver distraction, representing 2.0% of all driver distraction entries. The most common specific distractions were 'Other distraction outside the vehicle' (11 instances) and 'Other distraction inside the vehicle' (10 instances).

The majority of crashes, 650 incidents, occurred on straight, level roadways. Crashes occurring on curves (Curve Grade or Curve Level) accounted for 58 incidents, or 6.7% of all crashes. Incidents on grades (Straight Grade or Curve Grade) totaled 197, representing 22.7% of crashes.

The most common pre-crash action reported was 'Straight Ahead,' accounting for 859 instances, or 51.7% of all specified actions. 'Slowing or Stopped In Traffic' was the second most frequent action with 268 instances (16.1%), followed by 'Making Left Turn' with 127 instances (7.6%).

The dominant manner of collision was 'Rear-end,' accounting for 251 crashes, or 28.9% of all incidents. 'Angle' collisions were the second most frequent, with 203 incidents (23.4%).

Passenger Cars were the most frequently involved vehicle type, accounting for 942 vehicles. Commercial vehicles, including Single Unit Trucks, Semi-Tractors, Cargo Vans, Buses, and Heavy Equipment, collectively represented 90 vehicles, or 5.3% of all vehicles involved.

Drivers constituted the dominant role among persons involved in crashes, with 1568 individuals. Occupants accounted for 501 individuals, while pedestrians represented 13 individuals involved in crashes.

Out of 2082 persons involved in crashes, 2 individuals sustained fatal injuries, representing 0.1% of all persons. A total of 365 persons sustained some level of injury (serious, minor, or possible), accounting for 17.5% of all persons.

Among those for whom safety equipment use was reported, 'Shoulder and Lap Belt Used' was the most common, with 1596 instances. A notable 78 instances, representing 4.3% of reported uses, indicated that 'None Used' safety equipment.

The majority of crashes, 682 incidents, involved two vehicles. Single-vehicle crashes accounted for 128 incidents, representing 14.7% of all crashes. Multi-vehicle crashes involving three or more vehicles totaled 58 incidents.