447 CRASHES IN
OHIO, OH
2021

In 2021, motorists accounted for the vast majority of casualties, with 5 killed and 128 injured. One pedestrian was killed and 6 were injured in 7 separate incidents. There were no cyclist fatalities or injuries reported during this period.

Crash frequency in Hardin County peaked on Mondays, which saw 79 incidents in 2021. The most common time for crashes was the 6 p.m. hour, with 29 events. Crashes were more frequent during daylight hours (240 incidents) compared to all non-daylight conditions combined (197 incidents), though a significant number of crashes (127) occurred on unlit roadways after dark.

The majority of crashes, 76.3% (341 incidents), resulted in no injuries, with the remaining 23.7% involving some level of injury. This included 6 fatal crashes. These 6 crashes resulted in a total of 6 fatalities, as a single crash can involve more than one death.

The majority of crashes occurred in ideal driving conditions, with 70.5% happening in clear weather and 77.6% on dry road surfaces. Over half of the incidents (53.7%) took place during daylight hours. Adverse conditions were also present in a minority of crashes, including 41 incidents in rain and 61 on wet roads.

Analysis of persons involved in crashes shows the 26-34 age group was the most represented, with 133 individuals. Among the 699 vehicles involved in these incidents, the most frequent makes were Ford (116 vehicles), Chevrolet (99 vehicles), and Honda (87 vehicles).

The vast majority of crashes, 358 out of 447, had their first harmful event occur on the main roadway. A notable portion, totaling 66 incidents or 14.8%, were run-off-road events, occurring on the shoulder, roadside, or outside the trafficway.

The data indicates that most vehicles involved in crashes were at locations with no traffic control device present (516 vehicles). In contrast, 82 vehicles were involved in crashes at locations with a traffic signal, and 93 were at locations with a stop sign.

Among contributing factors assigned to drivers, Failure to Yield was the most common, cited in 78 instances. This was followed by Drove off Road, which was noted 49 times, and Following too Close, cited 47 times. These factors represent the most frequent improper driver actions leading to crashes.

A total of 30 commercial vehicles were involved in crashes in 2021. Of these, 22 were identified as semi-tractor-trailers, while 8 were classified as other types of commercial vehicles.

In 2021, there were 15 crashes involving vulnerable road users or motorcyclists. These included 8 incidents with motorcyclists and 7 with pedestrians. No crashes involving bicyclists were reported during this period.

Collisions with animals accounted for 104 crashes, representing 23.3% of all incidents in Hardin County. The vast majority of these, 94 crashes, involved deer, with an additional 10 crashes involving other types of animals.

Impairment was a factor in 22 crashes, accounting for 4.9% of the total. Of these, alcohol was suspected in 14 incidents, drugs in 6, and a combination of alcohol and drugs in 2.

While most drivers were reported as 'Apparently Normal,' 28 drivers were noted to have a condition potentially affecting their driving ability. This includes 16 drivers suspected of being under the influence of medications, drugs, or alcohol, and 5 drivers who reportedly fell asleep, fainted, or were fatigued.

Among the 632 drivers involved, 30 were reported as being distracted. The most common sources of distraction were non-specific events outside the vehicle (15 drivers) or inside the vehicle (10 drivers). Additionally, 3 drivers were distracted by electronic communication devices.

The majority of crashes (412 out of 447) occurred on straight sections of road. However, roadway geometry played a role in some incidents, with 75 crashes (16.8%) happening on a grade and 25 crashes (5.6%) occurring on a curve.

The geographic distribution of crashes was heavily concentrated in Kenton, which accounted for 190 incidents, or 42.5% of the county's total. Other significant locations included Ada with 34 crashes (7.6%) and Liberty with 30 crashes (6.7%).

An analysis of vehicle actions prior to collision shows that the majority of vehicles (430, or 61.5%) were moving straight ahead. The next most common pre-crash actions were being parked (55 vehicles) and slowing or stopped in traffic (48 vehicles).

The most frequent type of crash was a single-vehicle incident, categorized as 'Not Collision Between Two Vehicles in Transport,' which accounted for 232 crashes or 51.9% of the total. The next most common crash type was an angle collision, with 86 incidents (19.2%).

Passenger cars were the most common vehicle type involved in crashes, accounting for 340 of the 699 total units. Sport Utility Vehicles (121 units) and Pick-up trucks (113 units) were also frequently involved. Commercial vehicles, including semi-tractors and buses, were involved in 43 instances.

Of the 881 individuals involved in crashes, the majority were drivers, accounting for 632 people or 71.7% of the total. Passengers made up the next largest group with 241 individuals, while 8 pedestrians were also involved.

Out of 881 people involved in crashes, 140 individuals sustained some level of injury or were killed. This includes 6 fatalities (0.7% of all persons), 15 serious injuries, and 119 minor or possible injuries. The vast majority, 714 people, were not injured.

Safety equipment usage was documented for most vehicle occupants, with 619 individuals reported as using a shoulder and lap belt. A total of 36 occupants were reported as using no safety restraints at the time of their crash, representing 4.1% of all persons involved.

The data indicates a near-even split between two-vehicle crashes and single-vehicle crashes, which accounted for 225 (50.3%) and 210 (47.0%) incidents, respectively. Crashes involving three or more vehicles were less common, with only 12 such events recorded.