1,673 CRASHES IN
OHIO, OH
2021

In 2021, motorists accounted for the vast majority of traffic fatalities and injuries, with 27 killed and 718 injured. Among vulnerable road users, one pedestrian was killed and three were injured. No cyclists were reported killed or injured in crashes during this period.

Crash occurrences in Geauga County peaked on Fridays, with 286 incidents recorded in 2021. The most frequent time for crashes was the 4 p.m. hour, which saw 136 events. Overall, 1,061 crashes (63.4%) occurred during daylight hours, while 610 incidents took place in dark or low-light (dawn/dusk) conditions.

Of the 1,673 total crashes, 69.5% (1,163 incidents) resulted in no injuries, being classified as property-damage-only events. The remaining 30.5% involved at least one injury. There were 23 fatal crashes, which resulted in a total of 28 fatalities, indicating some crashes involved more than one death.

Severity is per crash event (most severe injury). 23 fatal crash events resulted in 28 persons killed.

The majority of crashes in 2021 occurred in what would be considered ideal driving conditions. Specifically, 71.9% of crashes happened on dry roads (1,203 incidents) and 63.4% occurred in daylight (1,061 incidents). Adverse weather was a factor in a smaller share of events, with 139 crashes during rain and 150 during snow.

Among the 3,571 people involved in crashes, the most represented age groups were 16-20 years old (499 individuals) and those 65 and older (496 individuals). The most common vehicle makes involved in these incidents were Chevrolet (418 vehicles), Ford (399 vehicles), and Honda (211 vehicles).

The first harmful event in most crashes, 1,286 incidents, occurred on the roadway itself. However, a notable 370 crashes, or 22.1% of the total, were run-off-road events. In these cases, the initial impact happened on the roadside, shoulder, or in the median, away from the designated travel lanes.

Analysis of traffic controls where crashes occurred shows that the majority of vehicles involved, 1,929 units, were in areas with no traffic control device present. Crashes at signalized intersections involved 481 vehicles, while those at intersections with stop signs involved 267 vehicles.

The most frequently cited contributing factor for drivers was 'Following too Close / ACDA,' attributed to 375 vehicles. This was followed by 'Drove off Road' (310 vehicles) and 'Failure to Yield' (276 vehicles). These top three improper actions were cited for a combined 961 vehicles involved in crashes.

Crashes involving commercial trucks accounted for 109 incidents in 2021. Of these, 50 crashes involved a semi-tractor trailer, while the remaining 59 involved other types of commercial vehicles such as single-unit trucks or cargo vans.

A total of 36 crashes involved vulnerable road users or motorcyclists. Motorcyclists were involved in 27 of these incidents. Crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists were less frequent, with 5 and 4 incidents respectively, for a combined total of 9 crashes involving vulnerable road users.

Animal-related collisions were a significant factor, accounting for 260 crashes, or 15.5% of the year's total. The vast majority of these incidents, 233 crashes (89.6% of animal strikes), involved deer. An additional 27 crashes were attributed to collisions with other unspecified types of animals.

Impairment was a documented factor in 99 crashes, representing 5.9% of all incidents. Alcohol was the most common form of impairment, cited in 78 crashes. An additional 11 crashes involved both alcohol and drugs, while 10 involved drugs alone.

While most drivers were recorded as 'Apparently Normal,' several adverse conditions were noted among the 2,673 drivers involved in crashes. A total of 83 drivers were identified as being under the influence of medications, drugs, or alcohol. Additionally, 39 drivers were reported to have fallen asleep, fainted, or been fatigued at the time of their crash.

Among the 2,673 drivers involved in crashes, specific distractions were identified for a subset of individuals. The most common reported distractions included other activities inside the vehicle (46 drivers) and distractions outside the vehicle (29 drivers). Electronic device use was also a factor, with 13 drivers manually operating a device and another 14 engaged in a different activity with a device.

While 1,124 crashes (67.2%) occurred on straight, level roads, a notable portion happened on more challenging alignments. Crashes on a grade (either straight or curved) accounted for 475 incidents, or 28.4% of the total. Additionally, 150 crashes, representing 9.0% of all incidents, occurred on curves.

The highest concentration of crashes within Geauga County occurred in the township of Bainbridge, with 260 incidents, and the city of Chardon, with 211 incidents. The village of Middlefield recorded the third-highest volume with 149 crashes. Together, these three areas accounted for 37% of all crashes in the county.

The most common pre-crash action for vehicles involved was driving straight ahead, which was reported for 1,632 vehicles, or 60.2% of the total. The next most frequent actions were slowing or stopping in traffic, involving 463 vehicles, and making a left turn, involving 218 vehicles.

Single-vehicle crashes were the most common type of incident, accounting for 769 crashes, or 46% of the total. Among multi-vehicle collisions, the most frequent pattern was a rear-end crash, which occurred in 364 incidents (21.8%). This was followed by angle collisions, which comprised 333 incidents (19.9%).

Passenger cars and Sport Utility Vehicles were the most common vehicles involved in crashes, accounting for 994 and 830 units respectively. Combined, these two types made up 67.3% of all 2,709 vehicles in collisions. Pick-up trucks were the third most common, with 445 vehicles involved.

Of the 3,571 individuals involved in crashes, the vast majority were drivers, accounting for 2,673 people (74.8%). Vehicle occupants (passengers) represented the next largest group with 890 individuals (24.9%). A total of 8 pedestrians were also involved in these incidents.

A total of 3,571 people were involved in crashes, with 2,781 (77.9%) reporting no injuries. There were 28 fatalities recorded. An additional 721 individuals sustained injuries, ranging from possible (321 persons) and minor (331 persons) to serious (69 persons).

Among 3,561 crash participants where safety equipment use was recorded, 2,965 were reported as using both a shoulder and lap belt. However, 248 individuals, or 7.0% of this group, were reported as using no safety equipment at all. Child restraint systems, including forward-facing, rear-facing, and booster seats, were used by a combined 100 occupants.

Two-vehicle collisions were the most common scenario, comprising 890 incidents (53.2% of the total). Single-vehicle crashes were also frequent, accounting for 712 incidents (42.5%). Multi-vehicle pile-ups involving three or more vehicles were less common, with 67 three-vehicle crashes and 4 four-vehicle crashes reported.