1,079 CRASHES IN
OHIO, OH
2021

In 2021, motorists accounted for the vast majority of casualties, with 5 killed and 453 injured in traffic crashes. One pedestrian was killed and two were injured. No cyclists were reported killed or injured in crashes during this period.

Crashes in Lawrence County were most frequent on Thursdays, which saw 174 incidents in 2021. The single busiest hour for crashes was 3 p.m., with 87 recorded events. Overall, collisions occurred more often during daylight hours, with 721 crashes happening in daylight compared to 309 in dark conditions.

Of the 1,079 total crashes, 69.3% (748 incidents) resulted in no injuries, while the remaining 30.7% involved at least a possible injury. There were 6 fatal crashes recorded, which resulted in 6 total fatalities. The number of fatalities can differ from the number of fatal crashes, as a single incident may involve multiple deaths.

The majority of crashes in 2021 occurred in ideal driving conditions, with 720 incidents (66.7%) happening in clear weather and 794 (73.6%) on dry road surfaces. Correspondingly, 721 crashes (66.8%) took place during daylight hours. Crashes in adverse conditions included 119 in rain and 210 on wet roads.

Analysis of persons involved in crashes shows the 26-34 age group was the most represented, with 338 individuals, followed by the 35-44 age group with 336 individuals. Among the 1,781 vehicles involved, the most frequent makes were Chevrolet (338 vehicles), Ford (316 vehicles), and Toyota (125 vehicles).

The first harmful event in 690 crashes (64%) occurred on the primary roadway. A significant portion, 341 crashes or 31.6%, were classified as run-off-road incidents, with the first harmful event happening on the roadside (293), shoulder (46), or in the median (2).

For vehicles involved in crashes, the most common traffic control environment was 'No Control,' which applied to 1,209 vehicles (67.9%). Locations with traffic signals accounted for 378 vehicles (21.2%), while those with stop signs involved 157 vehicles.

The most frequently cited contributing factor for drivers was 'Following too Close / ACDA,' noted for 248 vehicles. This was followed by 'Drove off Road' (191 vehicles), 'Unsafe Speed' (140 vehicles), and 'Failure to Yield' (132 vehicles). These factors represent the most common improper driver actions identified in crash reports.

A total of 54 commercial trucks were involved in crashes in 2021. Of these, 39 were classified as 'Other Commercial Vehicle' and 15 were 'Semi-Tractor Trailer'.

Crashes involved 14 motorcyclists, 4 pedestrians, and 3 bicyclists. Combined, there were 7 crashes involving vulnerable road users (pedestrians and bicyclists), a high-risk category for severe injuries and fatalities.

There were 71 crashes involving animals, which constitutes 6.6% of all crashes in the county. The vast majority of these, 63 incidents, were collisions with deer, while an additional 8 crashes involved other types of animals.

Impairment was a factor in 98 crashes, accounting for 9.1% of the total. Among these, alcohol was suspected in 47 cases, drugs in 36 cases, and a combination of both in 15 cases. These figures represent a minimum, as impairment can be under-reported.

Out of 1,676 drivers involved in crashes, 124 (7.4%) were noted as having a condition other than 'Apparently Normal.' The most common condition was being 'Under the Influence of Medications / Drugs / Alcohol,' which was recorded for 93 drivers. An additional 20 drivers were reported as having fallen asleep, fainted, or being fatigued.

Driver distraction was explicitly noted for 87 drivers, representing 5.2% of all drivers in crashes. The most cited issues were 'Other distraction inside the vehicle' (37 drivers) and 'Other distraction outside the vehicle' (25 drivers). Manually operating an electronic device like a phone was a factor for 7 drivers.

Roadway alignment played a role in crash location, with 316 crashes (29.3%) occurring on a curve. A similar number, 284 crashes (26.3%), took place on a grade. In total, 638 crashes (59.1%) happened on sections of road described as straight and level.

The highest concentration of crashes within Lawrence County occurred in the city of Ironton, which recorded 188 incidents (17.4% of the county total). Fayette Township followed with 181 crashes (16.8%), and Union Township had 151 crashes (14.0%). These three areas collectively accounted for nearly half of all crashes in the county.

The most common pre-crash action for vehicles was driving 'Straight Ahead,' which was the case for 852 vehicles, or 47.8% of the total. The next most frequent actions were 'Negotiating a Curve' (292 vehicles, 16.4%) and 'Slowing or Stopped In Traffic' (257 vehicles, 14.4%).

The most common crash type was 'Not Collision Between Two Vehicles in Transport,' which includes single-vehicle incidents, accounting for 453 crashes or 42% of the total. Among multi-vehicle collisions, rear-end crashes were the most frequent, with 260 incidents, representing 24.1% of all crashes.

Passenger cars were the most common vehicle type involved in crashes, with 795 units, making up 44.6% of all vehicles. Sport Utility Vehicles (424) and Pick-up trucks (365) were the next most frequent. Commercial vehicles, including trucks and buses, accounted for 71 of the vehicles involved in collisions.

Of the 2,390 people involved in crashes, the majority were drivers, accounting for 1,676 individuals (70.1%). Passengers, listed as 'occupant,' comprised 710 individuals (29.7%). A total of 4 pedestrians were also involved in these traffic incidents.

Among all 2,390 individuals involved in crashes, 6 sustained fatal injuries (0.25%). A total of 455 people (19.0%) suffered some level of injury, ranging from possible to serious. The majority, 1,870 people or 78.2%, were not injured.

The most commonly used safety equipment was a shoulder and lap belt, reported for 1,895 individuals. A notable 197 people, or 8.2% of all participants, were recorded as using no safety equipment at the time of the crash. Child restraint systems were used by 110 occupants, including forward-facing, rear-facing, and booster seats.

The most common incident involved two vehicles, accounting for 603 crashes (55.9% of the total). Single-vehicle crashes were also frequent, with 429 incidents recorded, representing 39.8% of all crashes. Crashes involving three or more vehicles were less common, with 42 three-vehicle and 5 four-vehicle collisions reported.