166 CRASHES IN
OHIO, OH
2021

In 2021, all 3 fatalities and 89 injuries recorded in Morgan County crashes involved motor vehicle occupants. There were no pedestrians or cyclists killed or injured in traffic collisions during this period. The data indicates that motorists were the sole group to suffer fatal or non-fatal injuries in crashes.

Crash frequency in Morgan County peaked on Fridays, which saw 31 incidents, making it the most common day for collisions. The afternoon commute hours were a key period for crashes, with the single busiest hour being from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., when 15 crashes occurred. While a majority of crashes (99) happened during daylight, a substantial number also occurred in dark conditions, with 47 on unlighted roadways and 6 on lighted roadways.

Of the 166 crashes in Morgan County, 59% (98 crashes) resulted in no injuries, being classified as property-damage-only events. The remaining 41% of crashes involved some level of injury or a fatality. Three crashes were fatal, while an additional 17 resulted in serious injuries and 31 in minor injuries.

The majority of crashes in Morgan County occurred in ideal driving conditions. Approximately 79% of crashes (131) happened on dry roads, and 65% (107) occurred during clear weather. Similarly, nearly 60% of all incidents (99 crashes) took place in daylight. Crashes in adverse conditions included 15 incidents during rain, 26 on wet road surfaces, and 53 in dark conditions.

Among the 270 people involved in crashes, the 16-20, 26-34, and 35-44 age groups were the most represented, each with 42 individuals. An analysis of the 227 vehicles involved shows that Ford was the most frequent make with 41 vehicles, followed by Chevrolet with 35. Other common makes included Dodge and Toyota, each involved in 16 crashes, and Honda with 15.

Analysis of where crashes initiated shows that a significant portion occurred off the primary travel lanes. While 82 crashes (49%) began on the roadway, a combined 81 crashes (49%) were initiated on the roadside (61), shoulder (13), or outside the trafficway (7). This indicates that nearly half of all crash events were some form of run-off-road incident.

The vast majority of vehicle-involved incidents occurred at locations without traffic controls. Of the 227 vehicles in crashes, 214 (94%) were at a location with no control device. In contrast, only 9 vehicles were involved in crashes at stop signs and 2 at traffic signals.

The most common contributing factor cited for drivers was 'Drove off Road,' which was noted for 41 vehicles. 'Unsafe Speed' was the second-most frequent factor, attributed to 36 vehicles. 'Failure to Yield' and 'Left of Center' were also significant factors, each cited for 13 vehicles involved in crashes.

Crashes involving commercial trucks accounted for 11 of the 166 total incidents, representing 6.6% of all crashes. Of these, 6 involved a semi-tractor trailer, and 5 involved other types of commercial vehicles. These events represent a specific category of crash with potentially higher severity.

Animal-related collisions were a notable factor, accounting for 16 of the 166 total crashes (9.6%). The majority of these incidents, 12 crashes, specifically involved deer. An additional 4 crashes were attributed to collisions with other, unspecified animals.

Impaired driving was a factor in 22 crashes, representing 13.3% of all collisions in Morgan County. Among these, alcohol was suspected in 16 incidents, drugs were suspected in 4, and a combination of alcohol and drugs was suspected in 2. These figures are based on officer suspicion at the scene.

Among the 211 drivers involved in crashes, 27 were noted as being in a non-normal condition. The most cited condition was being under the influence of medications, drugs, or alcohol, with 16 drivers. Additionally, 6 drivers were reported as having fallen asleep or being fatigued, and 3 had a physical impairment.

Among 211 drivers, 13 were identified as being distracted at the time of their crash. The most common specified issues were other distractions inside the vehicle (8 drivers) and outside the vehicle (3 drivers). One driver was manually operating an electronic communication device, and another was engaged in other activity with an electronic device.

Road geometry played a role in a significant number of crashes. A total of 80 crashes (48%) occurred on a grade, either straight or curved. Furthermore, 70 crashes (42%) happened while a vehicle was on a curve, highlighting the increased risk associated with non-straight and non-level roadways.

The geographic distribution of crashes shows a concentration in a few key areas. The township of Windsor had the highest number of incidents with 26 crashes, representing 15.7% of the county total. Malta followed with 22 crashes (13.3%), while Mcconnelsville and Union township each recorded 14 crashes (8.4% each).

The most common action drivers were taking just before a crash was driving straight ahead, which accounted for 97 of the 227 vehicles involved (42.7%). The second most frequent pre-crash action was negotiating a curve, with 67 vehicles (29.5%). Making a left turn was the third most common action, involving 23 vehicles.

The predominant crash type was single-vehicle incidents, categorized as 'Not Collision Between Two Vehicles in Transport,' which accounted for 116 of the 166 total crashes (69.9%). The most common type of multi-vehicle collision was an angle crash, with 22 incidents, representing 13.3% of the total.

Passenger cars were the most common vehicle type involved in crashes, accounting for 89 of the 227 vehicles. Pick-up trucks (48 vehicles) and Sport Utility Vehicles (38 vehicles) were the next most frequent. Motorcycles were also notably present, with 19 involved in crashes.

Of the 270 individuals involved in crashes, the vast majority were either drivers or their occupants. Drivers constituted the largest group with 211 people (78.1%), while 59 people (21.9%) were vehicle occupants. No pedestrians or cyclists were involved in any of the reported crashes.

Among the 270 people involved in crashes, 3 suffered fatal injuries (1.1%). A total of 89 individuals sustained some level of injury, representing 33% of all persons involved. The majority of people, 173 individuals or 64.1%, were not injured.

Safety equipment usage varied among the 270 crash participants. While 198 individuals were recorded as using a shoulder and lap belt, 30 people, or 11.1% of all participants, were documented as using no safety equipment at all. An additional 15 individuals used a helmet.

A significant majority of crashes involved only a single vehicle. Of the 166 total crashes, 112 (67.5%) were single-vehicle incidents. Two-vehicle collisions were the next most common, with 50 incidents (30.1%), while only 4 crashes involved three or more vehicles.