742 CRASHES IN
OHIO, OH
2021

In 2021, motorists accounted for all 5 fatalities and the vast majority of injuries, with 229 motorists injured in crashes. There were no cyclist fatalities or injuries reported during this period. While no pedestrians were killed, four were injured in the 3 crashes involving pedestrians.

Crashes occurred most frequently on Fridays, with 115 incidents recorded, while Tuesdays (114) and Thursdays (112) also saw high volumes. The single busiest hour for crashes was the 3 p.m. hour with 58 collisions, followed by the 7 a.m. hour with 53. Analysis of lighting conditions shows that 366 crashes (49.3%) occurred during daylight, while 296 crashes (39.9%) happened in dark conditions.

The majority of crashes in Henry County resulted in no injuries, with 571 incidents (77%) classified as property-damage-only. Injury-related crashes accounted for 22.4% of the total, comprising 22 serious injury, 83 minor injury, and 61 possible injury events. There were 5 fatal crashes during the year, which resulted in a total of 5 fatalities.

A majority of crashes occurred in ideal driving conditions, with 58.1% (431 crashes) happening in clear weather and 73.6% (546 crashes) on dry road surfaces. Despite this, a substantial number of incidents were recorded in adverse conditions, including 132 crashes on wet roads and 102 crashes during rain or snow. Regarding lighting, 49.3% of crashes (366) took place in daylight, while 39.9% (296) occurred in dark conditions, primarily on unlighted roadways.

Analysis of the 1,290 people involved in crashes shows the 16-20 age group was most represented with 194 individuals, followed closely by the 26-34 age group with 192 individuals. Among the 1,027 vehicles involved, Chevrolet was the most frequent make with 274 vehicles recorded in crash reports. Ford (156 vehicles) and Dodge (69 vehicles) were the next most common makes.

The first harmful event in most crashes, 605 out of 742 incidents, occurred on the roadway itself. However, a notable number of crashes originated off the main travel lanes, indicating run-off-road events. Specifically, 132 crashes, or 17.8% of the total, began on the roadside (59), shoulder (56), in the median (3), or outside the trafficway (14).

The vast majority of vehicles involved in crashes were at locations with no traffic control device present, accounting for 816 of 1,025 vehicle records where this was specified. Crashes at locations with stop signs involved 130 vehicles, while those at signalized intersections involved 68 vehicles. This indicates that most incidents occurred on road segments away from controlled intersections.

The most common contributing factor cited for drivers was 'Drove off Road,' which was noted in 158 instances. This was followed by 'Following too Close / ACDA' with 78 instances and 'Failure to Yield' with 74 instances. Other significant factors included 'Improper Backing' (28) and 'Unsafe Speed' (24).

A total of 63 commercial trucks were involved in crashes in Henry County during 2021. Of these, 43 were identified as semi-tractor-trailers, while the remaining 20 were classified as other types of commercial vehicles.

Crashes in 2021 involved 21 individuals classified as motorcyclists or vulnerable road users. This group included 14 motorcyclists, 4 bicyclists, and 3 pedestrians. Combined, crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists accounted for 7 incidents.

Collisions with animals were a major factor in Henry County crashes, accounting for 251 incidents, or 33.8% of the year's total. The vast majority of these, 242 crashes, specifically involved deer. An additional 9 crashes were attributed to collisions with other, unspecified types of animals.

Impairment was a factor in 50 crashes, representing 6.7% of all incidents in Henry County. Among these, alcohol was the most frequently cited impairment, involved in 39 cases. An additional 8 crashes involved drugs, and 3 crashes involved a combination of both alcohol and drugs.

Beyond 'Apparently Normal,' several adverse driver conditions were noted in crash reports, totaling 70 instances. The most common of these was 'Under the Influence of Medications / Drugs / Alcohol,' cited for 32 drivers. Other reported conditions included 'Physical Impairment' (13 drivers), 'Fell Asleep; Fainted; Fatigued' (11 drivers), and 'Illness' (9 drivers).

A total of 45 drivers were identified as being distracted at the time of their crash. The most common sources were non-specific distractions from inside the vehicle (20 drivers) or outside the vehicle (9 drivers). Electronic devices were a factor for 15 drivers, including 7 using a device for an 'other activity' and 5 manually operating a device.

The vast majority of crashes, 646 out of 742, occurred on straight and level road segments. However, road geometry played a role in a portion of incidents, with 53 crashes (7.1%) taking place on curves. Additionally, 54 crashes (7.3%) occurred on a grade, either straight or on a curve.

The geographic distribution of crashes within Henry County shows a high concentration in Napoleon, which recorded 257 incidents, or 34.6% of the county's total. Other areas with significant crash volumes include the townships of Liberty (63 crashes), Ridgeville (60 crashes), and Flatrock (57 crashes). Together, the top five locations account for 493 crashes, representing over 66% of all incidents in the county.

The most common pre-crash action for vehicles was 'Straight Ahead,' which was reported for 714 of the 1,027 vehicles involved (69.5%). A significant number of vehicles were 'Slowing or Stopped In Traffic' (88 vehicles) or 'Making Left Turn' (50 vehicles) just prior to the collision. Actions such as 'Backing' (32 vehicles) and being 'Parked' (29 vehicles) were also noted.

The predominant crash type in Henry County was single-vehicle incidents, categorized as 'Not Collision Between Two Vehicles in Transport,' which accounted for 516 crashes, or 69.5% of the total. This category often includes collisions with fixed objects, animals, or rollovers. Among multi-vehicle crashes, angle collisions were the most frequent type with 92 incidents (12.4%), followed by rear-end collisions with 74 incidents (10%).

Passenger cars were the most common vehicle type involved in crashes, accounting for 400 of the 1,027 vehicles. Sport Utility Vehicles (287) and Pick up trucks (167) were the next most frequent types, with these top three categories comprising 83% of all vehicles in crashes. Commercial vehicles were also present, including 45 semi-tractors and 18 cargo vans.

Of the 1,290 people involved in crashes, the vast majority, 991 individuals (76.8%), were drivers. Passengers (occupants) constituted the next largest group, with 295 people involved. A small number of non-motorists were also involved, including 4 pedestrians.

Out of 1,290 individuals involved in crashes, 238 people sustained some level of injury or were fatally injured. This includes 5 fatalities, 26 serious injuries, 114 minor injuries, and 93 possible injuries. The remaining 1,036 individuals, representing 80.3% of all persons involved, were not injured.

The majority of vehicle occupants, 1,098 out of 1,290 individuals, were reported as using a shoulder and lap belt. However, 68 individuals were documented as using no safety equipment at all. Child restraints were used by 38 occupants, including 22 in forward-facing seats, 11 in booster seats, and 5 in rear-facing seats.

Single-vehicle crashes were the most common incident type, with 474 crashes (63.9%) involving only one vehicle. Two-vehicle collisions were the next most frequent, accounting for 251 crashes, or 33.8% of the total. A smaller number of incidents, 17 in total, involved three vehicles.