855 CRASHES IN
OHIO, OH
2021

Motorists accounted for all 3 fatalities and the vast majority of injuries, with 300 motorists injured in 2021. No cyclists were killed or injured. Four pedestrians sustained injuries, but there were no pedestrian fatalities recorded during this period.

Crash frequency peaked midweek, with Wednesday recording the highest number of incidents at 138. The single busiest hour for crashes was the 5 p.m. evening commute, which saw 70 collisions. Overall, 58.1% of crashes (497) occurred during daylight hours, while 35.4% (303) took place in dark conditions.

The majority of crashes, 75% or 641 incidents, resulted in no injuries and were classified as property-damage-only. Crashes involving some level of injury accounted for approximately 24.7% of the total, or 211 incidents. There were 3 fatal crashes recorded, which resulted in a total of 3 fatalities.

A significant majority of crashes happened in ideal driving conditions. Specifically, 74.1% of crashes (634) occurred on dry road surfaces, 66.2% (566) in clear weather, and 58.1% (497) during daylight hours. Crashes in adverse conditions included 160 on wet roads and 98 during rain.

Among the 1,779 people involved in crashes, the 26-34 age group was the most represented with 275 individuals, followed closely by the 16-20 age group with 259 individuals. Of the 1,344 vehicles involved, the most frequent makes were Chevrolet (265), Ford (211), Honda (85), and Toyota (84).

The first harmful event in 598 crashes, or 69.9% of the total, occurred on the primary roadway. A notable portion of incidents were run-off-road events, with 170 crashes (19.9%) occurring on the roadside, 43 (5.0%) on the shoulder, and 9 (1.1%) in the median, for a combined total of 26.0% of crashes originating off the travel lanes.

Analysis of the 1,344 vehicles involved in crashes shows that most incidents occurred at locations without traffic controls, accounting for 1,065 vehicles (79.2%). Vehicles involved in crashes at intersections with stop signs numbered 148 (11.0%), while 115 vehicles (8.6%) were involved in crashes at signalized locations.

Among contributing factors assigned to the 1,344 vehicle units, 'Drove off Road' was the most common, cited for 166 units. This was followed by 'Following too Close / ACDA' (Assured Clear Distance Ahead), which was a factor for 128 units, and 'Failure to Yield', cited for 95 units.

Commercial trucks were involved in 137 crashes, representing approximately 16.0% of all incidents. Of these, 105 involved a semi-tractor trailer and 32 involved other types of commercial vehicles.

A total of 16 crashes involved a vulnerable road user or motorcyclist. These included 11 motorcyclists, 4 pedestrians, and 1 bicyclist. Combined, crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists, who are considered the most vulnerable road users, accounted for 5 incidents.

Crashes involving animals accounted for 127 incidents, or 14.9% of all crashes. The vast majority of these, 114 crashes, were strikes involving deer, while 13 involved other types of animals.

Impairment was a factor in 40 crashes, representing 4.7% of the total. Of these, alcohol was suspected in 25 incidents, drugs in 13, and a combination of alcohol and drugs in 2 incidents.

Among the 1,272 drivers involved in crashes, 89 were noted as having a condition other than 'Apparently Normal'. The most common conditions were being 'Under the Influence of Medications / Drugs / Alcohol' (36 drivers) and 'Fell Asleep; Fainted; Fatigued' (33 drivers).

Among 1,272 drivers, a specific distraction was identified for 54 individuals, or 4.2% of all drivers. The most cited issues were 'Other distraction inside the vehicle' (21 drivers) and 'Other distraction outside the vehicle' (15 drivers). Manually operating an electronic communication device was noted for 7 drivers.

While most crashes occurred on straight and level roads, a notable number happened on more complex road geometries. Crashes on a grade (uphill or downhill) accounted for 23.0% of all incidents (197 crashes). Additionally, 11.9% of crashes (102) occurred on curves.

The geographic distribution of crashes was concentrated in a few key areas. The city of Eaton recorded the highest number of incidents with 176 crashes, representing 20.6% of the county's total. The townships of Jefferson (94 crashes) and Monroe (83 crashes) were the next most frequent locations.

Analysis of the 1,344 vehicles involved shows that the majority were moving 'Straight Ahead' (910 vehicles, or 67.7%) just prior to the collision. The next most common pre-crash actions were 'Slowing or Stopped In Traffic' (86 vehicles) and 'Negotiating a Curve' or 'Making Left Turn' (75 vehicles each).

Single-vehicle incidents were the dominant crash type, with 440 crashes (51.5%) classified as 'Not Collision Between Two Vehicles in Transport'. Among multi-vehicle crashes, angle collisions were the most frequent, accounting for 151 incidents or 17.7% of the total, followed by rear-end collisions at 139 incidents (16.3%).

Passenger cars were the most common vehicle type involved in crashes, accounting for 565 of the 1,344 vehicles (42.0%). Sport Utility Vehicles (282) and Pick-up trucks (235) were also frequently involved. Commercial vehicles, including semi-tractors and single-unit trucks, represented a significant portion with a combined 155 units.

Of the 1,779 individuals involved in crashes, the majority were drivers (1,272 people, or 71.5%). Vehicle occupants (passengers) accounted for 503 individuals (28.3%), while pedestrians made up a small fraction with 4 individuals (0.2%).

Among all 1,779 people involved in crashes, 1,455 (81.8%) sustained no injuries. A total of 304 people were injured, representing 17.1% of all individuals. Fatalities were rare, with 3 individuals, or 0.17% of those involved, sustaining fatal injuries.

A significant majority of vehicle occupants, 1,377 people, were recorded as using a shoulder and lap belt. However, 181 individuals, representing 10.2% of those for whom restraint use was recorded, were noted as using no safety equipment at the time of the crash.

Crashes were nearly evenly split between single-vehicle and two-vehicle incidents. Single-vehicle crashes accounted for 46.9% of the total (401 crashes), while two-vehicle crashes made up 49.7% (425 crashes). There were 29 crashes involving three or more vehicles, including one incident that involved seven vehicles.