251 CRASHES IN
OHIO, OH
2021

Motor vehicle occupants represented all 4 fatalities and 113 of the 114 total injuries recorded in Harrison County. One pedestrian was injured in a crash during this period. No fatalities or injuries involving bicyclists were reported in 2021.

Crashes in Harrison County were most frequent on Sundays and Mondays, which both saw 41 incidents. The single busiest hour for crashes was 4 p.m., with 20 recorded events. While more crashes occurred during daylight hours (144), a substantial number of incidents (106) happened in dark or low-light conditions.

Of the 251 crashes in 2021, approximately 66.9% (168 crashes) resulted in no injuries. The remaining incidents involved possible, minor, or serious injuries. Four crashes were classified as fatal, which resulted in a total of four fatalities.

The majority of crashes occurred in favorable conditions, with 74.9% on dry roads, 61.8% in clear weather, and 57.4% during daylight hours. Adverse conditions were also a factor in some incidents, with 43 crashes on wet roads and 20 during rain. Crashes in dark conditions totaled 90 incidents, with most of those (79) occurring on unlighted roadways.

Analysis of persons involved in crashes shows the most represented age groups were 0-15 years old (68 individuals), 26-34 (67 individuals), and 16-20 (65 individuals). Among the 345 vehicles involved, the most frequent makes were Chevrolet with 60 vehicles and Ford with 59 vehicles. Honda and Jeep were also common, each involved in 22 incidents.

The initial harmful event in 134 crashes, or 53.4% of the total, occurred on the roadway itself. A significant portion of crashes, totaling 115 incidents (45.8%), were run-off-road events, with the first impact happening on the roadside, shoulder, median, or outside the trafficway.

The vast majority of vehicles involved in crashes were at locations with no traffic controls present, accounting for 310 of the 344 vehicles with known control data. Vehicles at locations with stop signs were involved in 25 incidents. Crashes at signalized intersections were less common, involving only 7 vehicles.

The most frequently cited contributing factor for drivers was 'Drove off Road,' which was noted in 71 instances. 'Unsafe Speed' was the second most common factor, attributed in 36 cases, followed by 'Failure to Yield' with 25 instances. 'Following too Close / ACDA' was also a notable factor, contributing to 18 incidents.

Commercial trucks were involved in a number of crashes in 2021. The data indicates that 18 semi-tractor trailers and 13 other types of commercial vehicles were involved in incidents during this period.

Crashes involving vulnerable road users and motorcyclists included 12 incidents with motorcyclists and one with a pedestrian. In total, one crash involved a vulnerable road user (pedestrian), representing 0.4% of all crashes. No crashes involving bicyclists were recorded.

Animal-related collisions accounted for 37 crashes, representing 14.7% of the total incidents in Harrison County. The vast majority of these, 35 crashes, involved collisions with deer. An additional two crashes were attributed to collisions with other animals.

Impairment was a factor in 19 crashes, accounting for 7.6% of all incidents. Alcohol was the most common form of impairment, cited in 17 of these cases. One crash involved a combination of alcohol and drugs, and one involved drugs alone.

Among drivers with a recorded condition, several non-normal states were noted. Twelve drivers were identified as being under the influence of medications, drugs, or alcohol. An additional 7 drivers were reported as having fallen asleep, fainted, or being fatigued, while 3 had a physical impairment.

While most drivers were reported as not distracted, 14 drivers were noted to have some form of distraction. Seven drivers were distracted by something inside their vehicle, and 3 were distracted by something outside. Four drivers were distracted by an electronic device, including one who was manually operating it.

Road geometry played a role in many crashes, with a significant number occurring on non-level or non-straight sections. Crashes on curves accounted for 100 incidents (39.8% of the total), while 108 crashes (43.0%) occurred on a grade. The combination of a curve and a grade was present in 59 crashes.

The geographic distribution of crashes was concentrated in several townships and villages. Cadiz had the highest number of incidents with 53 crashes, making up 21.1% of the county's total. This was followed by Green township with 30 crashes (12.0%) and North township with 20 crashes (8.0%).

The most common pre-crash action for vehicles was driving 'Straight Ahead,' which described 160 of the 345 vehicles involved. The second most frequent action was 'Negotiating a Curve,' with 96 vehicles engaged in this maneuver prior to their crash. Making a left turn was the third most common action, noted for 23 vehicles.

The predominant crash type was single-vehicle incidents, categorized as 'Not Collision Between Two Vehicles in Transport,' which accounted for 170 crashes or 67.7% of the total. Among multi-vehicle crashes, angle collisions were the most frequent type, with 26 incidents (10.4%). Rear-end collisions followed, with 19 crashes recorded.

Passenger cars were the most common vehicle type involved in crashes, with 105 units recorded. Sport Utility Vehicles (88 units) and Pick up trucks (76 units) were also frequently involved. Commercial vehicles, including 19 semi-tractors and 17 single-unit trucks, were present in a notable number of incidents.

Of the 464 people involved in crashes, the majority (331 individuals, or 71.3%) were drivers. Passengers ('occupants') comprised the next largest group with 132 individuals, representing 28.4% of the total. One pedestrian was also involved in a crash.

Across all 464 individuals involved in crashes, 4 people sustained fatal injuries and 114 sustained some level of injury. This means that approximately 25.4% of all persons involved were either injured or killed. The majority of people, 340 individuals or 73.3%, were not injured.

Among 437 vehicle occupants with known safety equipment usage, 58 individuals (13.3%) were reported as using no restraints at the time of the crash. The majority, 349 occupants, were using a shoulder and lap belt. Additionally, 11 motorcyclists were noted as using a helmet.

The majority of incidents were single-vehicle crashes, with 164 such events making up 65.3% of the total. Two-vehicle collisions were the next most common, with 81 incidents. Multi-vehicle pile-ups were rare, with only 5 crashes involving three vehicles and one crash involving four vehicles.