1,413 CRASHES IN
OHIO, OH
2021

In 2021, motorists comprised the largest group of individuals killed or injured in crashes, with 4 fatalities and 442 injuries. One pedestrian fatality and 8 pedestrian injuries were also recorded. No bicyclists were killed or injured during this period.

Crash frequency in Sandusky County peaked on Wednesdays, which saw 239 incidents over the year. The single most common time for crashes was the 4 p.m. hour, with 90 events recorded. A majority of crashes, 752 or 53.2%, occurred during daylight hours, while 454 crashes (32.1%) happened on unlit roadways after dark.

The majority of crashes, 77.1% or 1,089 incidents, resulted in no injuries. Crashes involving at least one injury (serious, minor, or possible) accounted for 22.6% of the total, or 320 events. There were 4 separate fatal crashes, which resulted in a total of 5 fatalities, as a single crash can involve more than one death.

Severity is per crash event (most severe injury). 4 fatal crash events resulted in 5 persons killed.

A significant majority of crashes occurred in favorable conditions. Crashes in clear weather accounted for 63.4% (896 incidents) of the total, and 77.5% (1,095 incidents) happened on dry road surfaces. Over half of all crashes (53.2%, or 752 incidents) took place in daylight.

Among the 2,771 people involved in crashes, the 26-34 age group was the most represented, with 432 individuals. Of the 2,129 vehicles involved, Chevrolet was the most frequent make with 402 vehicles, followed by Ford with 388 vehicles and Dodge with 155 vehicles.

The first harmful event in most crashes, 1,073 incidents, occurred on the roadway itself. However, a notable portion of crashes involved a vehicle running off the road, with a combined 319 incidents (22.6%) occurring on the roadside, shoulder, median, or otherwise outside the trafficway.

The vast majority of units involved in crashes were at locations with no traffic control device present, accounting for 1,689 instances. For comparison, 232 units were involved in crashes at locations with a traffic signal, and 188 were at locations with a stop sign.

Among driver-related contributing factors, 'Drove off Road' was the most cited action, noted in 208 instances. This was followed by 'Following too Close / ACDA' with 168 instances and 'Failure to Yield' with 162 instances. These three factors represent the most common improper driver actions leading to crashes.

Crashes in 2021 involved 219 commercial vehicles. Of these, the majority (181) were semi-tractor trailers, while the remaining 38 were classified as other types of commercial vehicles.

A total of 31 crashes involved motorcyclists, pedestrians, or bicyclists. Motorcyclists were the most frequent group, involved in 16 crashes. Crashes involving vulnerable road users included 10 pedestrians and 5 bicyclists.

Crashes involving animals accounted for 310 incidents, representing 21.9% of all crashes in the county. The vast majority of these, 291 incidents, were strikes involving deer, with the remaining 19 involving other types of animals.

Impairment was a factor in 90 crashes, which is 6.4% of the total for the year. Alcohol was the most common form of impairment, cited in 64 incidents, while drugs were a factor in 17 incidents and a combination of alcohol and drugs was noted in 9 incidents.

Excluding drivers noted as 'Apparently Normal,' the most common condition reported was being 'Under the Influence of Medications / Drugs / Alcohol,' with 78 drivers. An additional 21 drivers were reported to have 'Fell Asleep; Fainted; Fatigued; etc.' at the time of their crash.

Among the 1,972 drivers with distraction information recorded, 78 were noted as being distracted. The most common distraction was 'Other distraction inside the vehicle,' cited for 31 drivers, followed by 'Manually operating an electronic communication device' for 16 drivers and 'Other activity with an electronic device' for 15 drivers.

The roadway geometry was straight and level for the majority of crashes (1,221 incidents). Crashes on a grade (either straight or curved) occurred in 132 instances, or 9.3% of the total. Crashes on curves (either level or graded) accounted for 78 incidents, or 5.5% of the total.

The geographic distribution of crashes was concentrated in a few key areas. The city of Fremont had the highest volume with 222 crashes, followed by the township of Sandusky with 175 and the township of Riley with 150. Together, these three locations accounted for 38.7% of all crashes in the county.

Among the 2,129 vehicle units involved in crashes, the most common pre-crash action was 'Straight Ahead,' reported for 1,348 units (63.3%). Other frequent actions included 'Making Left Turn' (172 units) and 'Slowing or Stopped In Traffic' (165 units).

Single-vehicle crashes, officially classified as 'Not Collision Between Two Vehicles in Transport,' were the most common type of incident, accounting for 809 crashes or 57.3% of the total. The next most frequent collision type was an angle crash, with 248 incidents (17.6%).

Passenger cars were the most common vehicle type involved in crashes, with 889 units, representing 41.8% of all vehicles. Sport Utility Vehicles (459 units) and Pickups (337 units) were the next most frequent. Commercial vehicles, including semi-tractors and single-unit trucks, were involved in 268 instances.

Of the 2,771 individuals involved in crashes, the majority were drivers, accounting for 2,005 people (72.4%). Passengers made up the next largest group with 756 individuals (27.3%), while pedestrians accounted for 10 individuals.

Among all 2,771 people involved in crashes, 2,288 individuals sustained no injuries. A total of 455 people were either injured or killed, representing 16.4% of all participants. This includes 5 fatalities, 38 serious injuries, 252 minor injuries, and 160 possible injuries.

Among 2,761 occupants and non-motorists with safety equipment data, 201 individuals (7.3%) were recorded as using no safety equipment. The most common form of protection was a shoulder and lap belt, used by 2,243 individuals.

Single-vehicle crashes were the most common incident type, with 738 crashes, making up 52.2% of the total. Two-vehicle collisions were also frequent, accounting for 641 crashes (45.4%). Crashes involving three or more vehicles were less common, with 34 such incidents recorded.