900 CRASHES IN
OHIO, OH
2021

In 2021, motorists accounted for all 11 traffic fatalities and 337 of the 338 total injuries in Jackson County. One pedestrian was injured in a crash during the year. There were no recorded fatalities or injuries involving bicyclists.

Crash frequencies in Jackson County peaked on Thursdays, with 154 incidents recorded. The most common time for crashes was the 5 p.m. hour, which saw 61 events. Crashes were more frequent during daylight hours, accounting for 501 incidents, while 394 crashes occurred in dark or dawn/dusk conditions.

The majority of crashes, 667 incidents or 74.1%, resulted in no injuries. Injury-related crashes accounted for approximately 25% of the total, including 25 serious injury crashes and 153 minor injury crashes. Ten crashes were classified as fatal, which resulted in a total of 11 deaths.

Severity is per crash event (most severe injury). 10 fatal crash events resulted in 11 persons killed.

A majority of crashes occurred in favorable conditions. Analysis shows 72.3% of incidents (651 crashes) happened on dry roads, 56.2% (506 crashes) in clear weather, and 55.7% (501 crashes) during daylight hours. Adverse conditions included 188 crashes on wet roads and 103 crashes during rain.

Among the 1,797 people involved in crashes, the 26-34 age group was the most represented, with 276 individuals. The most common vehicle makes involved in crashes were Ford (252 vehicles), Chevrolet (231 vehicles), and Dodge (93 vehicles).

Analysis of the first harmful event's location shows that 579 crashes, or 64.3%, occurred directly on the roadway. A significant portion, 312 crashes (34.7%), were run-off-road events, with the first harmful event occurring on the roadside, shoulder, or in the median.

The vast majority of crashes occurred at locations without traffic controls, accounting for 1,015 of 1,292 vehicle involvements where control type was noted. Crashes at intersections with traffic signals accounted for 163 vehicle involvements, while those at stop signs involved 110 vehicles.

The most frequently cited contributing factor for drivers was 'Drove off Road,' noted in 164 instances. This was followed by 'Unsafe Speed' with 115 instances and 'Following too Close / ACDA' with 114 instances. 'Failure to Yield' was also a significant factor, contributing to 87 crashes.

Crashes involving commercial trucks accounted for 8% of all incidents, with a total of 72 events. Of these, 48 crashes involved a semi-tractor trailer, while the remaining 24 involved other types of commercial vehicles.

In 2021, there were 13 crashes involving vulnerable road users or motorcyclists. These included 11 incidents with motorcyclists, one with a bicyclist, and one with a pedestrian. Combined, crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists accounted for two of the total incidents.

Crashes involving animals were a notable factor, comprising 199 incidents, or 22.1% of all crashes in the county. The vast majority of these, 189 crashes, were strikes involving deer. Ten additional crashes involved other or unspecified animals.

Impairment was a factor in 47 crashes, representing 5.2% of the total for the year. Alcohol was the sole factor in 30 of these incidents, drugs were a factor in 11, and a combination of alcohol and drugs was noted in 6 crashes.

Beyond 'Apparently Normal' conditions, driver state was a factor for 78 drivers involved in crashes. Impairment from medications, drugs, or alcohol was the most cited condition, affecting 46 drivers. An additional 20 drivers were reported to have fallen asleep, fainted, or been fatigued.

A specific distraction was identified for 81 drivers involved in crashes. The most common issues were 'other distraction inside the vehicle' (37 drivers) and 'other distraction outside the vehicle' (28 drivers). Four drivers were manually operating an electronic device like a phone.

Roadway geometry played a role in a significant number of crashes, with 25.3% of incidents (228 crashes) occurring on a grade. An additional 20.6% of crashes (185 incidents) took place while on a curve, indicating that non-level and non-straight road sections present higher risk.

The geographic distribution of crashes was concentrated in a few key areas. The city of Jackson saw the most incidents with 178 crashes, followed by Lick township with 124 and Wellston with 114. Together, these three locations accounted for 46.2% of all crashes in the county.

The most common pre-crash action for the 1,300 vehicles involved was 'Straight Ahead,' accounting for 771 vehicles. 'Negotiating a Curve' was the second most frequent action with 172 vehicles, followed by 'Slowing or Stopped In Traffic' for 124 vehicles.

Single-vehicle crashes were the dominant type of incident, classified as 'Not Collision Between Two Vehicles in Transport.' This category accounted for 550 crashes, or 61.1% of the total. Among multi-vehicle crashes, angle collisions were the most common, with 126 incidents (14%).

Passenger cars were the most common vehicle type involved in crashes, with 549 units recorded. Sport Utility Vehicles (317 units) and Pick-up trucks (262 units) were the next most frequent. These three categories combined represent 86.8% of all vehicles in crashes.

Of the 1,797 individuals involved in crashes, 1,253 (69.7%) were drivers. Passengers accounted for 542 individuals (30.2% of the total). A small fraction, just two individuals, were pedestrians.

Among all 1,797 people involved in crashes, 11 individuals sustained fatal injuries (0.6% of the total). A total of 338 people were injured, representing 18.8% of all participants. This included 30 serious injuries, 232 minor injuries, and 76 possible injuries.

Among vehicle occupants where safety equipment use was documented, 81 individuals were recorded as using no restraints. In contrast, 1,302 people were noted as using both a shoulder and lap belt. Proper use of child restraints, including forward-facing, rear-facing, and booster seats, was recorded for 95 children.

The data shows a high prevalence of single-vehicle crashes, which accounted for 520 incidents, or 57.8% of the total. Two-vehicle collisions were the next most common, with 361 incidents (40.1%). Crashes involving three or more vehicles were rare, totaling just 19 incidents.