1,352 CRASHES IN
OHIO, OH
2021

In 2021, motorists accounted for all 4 fatalities and the vast majority of injuries (384) in Seneca County crashes. There were no cyclist fatalities or injuries reported. While no pedestrians were killed, 5 sustained injuries in traffic collisions.

Crash occurrences in Seneca County peaked on Fridays, with 245 incidents recorded in 2021. The most frequent time for crashes was the 3 p.m. hour, which saw 97 events. While more crashes occurred during daylight hours (731 incidents), a substantial number (600 incidents) took place in dark, dawn, or dusk conditions.

The majority of crashes in Seneca County, 79% or 1,068 incidents, resulted in no reported injuries. Crashes involving injuries accounted for 20.7% of the total, with 33 classified as serious injury, 150 as minor injury, and 97 as possible injury. Four fatal crashes occurred during this period, resulting in four fatalities.

A majority of crashes in 2021 occurred in ideal driving conditions, with 80.4% on dry roads (1,087 crashes) and 63.8% in clear weather (862 crashes). Crashes were more evenly split by lighting, with 54.1% (731) happening in daylight. Adverse conditions were still a factor, with 191 crashes on wet roads and 108 during rain.

Analysis of persons involved in crashes shows the 16-20 age group was most represented, with 389 individuals, followed by the 26-34 age group with 362. Among the 2,123 vehicles involved in these incidents, the most frequent makes were Ford, with 414 vehicles, and Chevrolet, with 370 vehicles. Dodge (150), Honda (124), and Jeep (109) were also commonly involved.

The vast majority of crashes, 1,171 incidents, had their first harmful event occur on the primary roadway. However, a notable number of run-off-road crashes were recorded, with 113 events originating on the roadside and 29 on the shoulder. These off-roadway incidents collectively represent 10.5% of all crashes.

Analysis of traffic controls at crash locations, reported per vehicle, shows that 71% (1,504 vehicles) were at locations with no traffic control device present. Signalized intersections were associated with 17.3% (367 vehicles) of crash-involved units, while locations with stop signs accounted for 10.5% (222 vehicles).

The most frequently cited contributing factor for drivers was 'Following too Close / ACDA,' noted in 196 instances. This was followed by 'Failure to Yield' with 188 citations and 'Drove off Road' with 136. 'Other Improper Action' was also a significant factor, recorded 117 times.

Crashes involving commercial trucks were a notable category, with 117 total involvements recorded in 2021. These were split between semi-tractor trailers, involved in 61 incidents, and other types of commercial vehicles, involved in 56 incidents. Overall, commercial vehicles were part of approximately 8.6% of all crashes in the county.

In 2021, there were 18 crashes involving vulnerable road users or motorcyclists. Motorcyclists were involved in 9 crashes, while bicyclists were involved in 5 and pedestrians in 4. Combined, crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists, who are among the most vulnerable road users, totaled 9 incidents.

Collisions with animals accounted for a significant portion of crashes in Seneca County, totaling 381 incidents or 28.2% of all crashes in 2021. The vast majority of these, 370 crashes, involved deer. Encounters with other animals were documented in 11 crashes.

Impairment was a factor in 85 crashes, representing 6.3% of the total for the year. Of these, alcohol was the sole impairing substance in 64 incidents, drugs were involved in 13, and a combination of alcohol and drugs was noted in 8 crashes. These figures represent a baseline, as impairment can be under-reported.

Beyond impairment from alcohol or drugs, other driver conditions were noted in crash reports. Among 1,981 drivers, 70 were reported as being under the influence of medications, drugs, or alcohol. An additional 14 drivers were noted as having fallen asleep, fainted, or being fatigued, while 7 had a physical impairment.

Driver distraction was identified as a factor for 93 drivers involved in crashes. The most common type was an unspecified distraction inside the vehicle, reported for 43 drivers, followed by distractions outside the vehicle for 24 drivers. Electronic devices were a factor for 20 drivers, including 7 who were manually operating a device.

The majority of crashes (1,194) occurred on straight, level road segments. However, roadway geometry played a role in some incidents, with 9.4% of crashes (127) happening on a grade. Crashes on curves were less frequent, accounting for 3.3% of the total (44 incidents).

The geographic distribution of crashes across Seneca County was concentrated in a few key areas. The City of Tiffin saw the highest number of incidents, with 383 crashes, accounting for 28.3% of the county's total. Fostoria recorded the second-highest volume with 177 crashes (13.1%), followed by Clinton township with 114 crashes (8.4%).

Analysis of pre-crash actions for the 2,123 vehicles involved shows that the majority, 64.4% (1,367 vehicles), were moving straight ahead. The second most common action was slowing or stopping in traffic, which accounted for 10.6% of vehicles (224). Making a left turn was the pre-crash action for 7.0% of vehicles (149).

The most common type of crash was a single-vehicle incident, categorized as 'Not Collision Between Two Vehicles in Transport,' which accounted for 49.4% of all crashes (668 incidents). Among multi-vehicle collisions, angle crashes were the most frequent, with 284 incidents (21.0% of total). Rear-end collisions were the next most common type, representing 14.3% of crashes (193 incidents).

Passenger cars were the most common vehicle type involved in crashes, accounting for 922 of the 2,123 vehicles (43.4%). Sport utility vehicles (529) and pick-up trucks (371) were also frequently involved. Commercial vehicles, including semi-tractors and single-unit trucks, constituted 5.7% of the vehicles in these incidents.

A total of 2,570 persons were involved in crashes in 2021. The majority of these individuals were drivers, who accounted for 77.1% (1,981) of all persons involved. Vehicle occupants or passengers made up 22.7% (584) of the total, while pedestrians represented a small fraction at 0.2% (5 persons).

Of the 2,570 people involved in traffic crashes, a total of 393 individuals, or 15.3%, sustained some level of injury or were killed. This includes 4 fatalities, 44 serious injuries, 196 minor injuries, and 149 possible injuries. The vast majority of people involved, 82.6% (2,124 individuals), were not injured.

Safety equipment usage was documented for the 2,570 people involved in crashes. The overwhelming majority, 84.0% (2,160 individuals), were reported as using a shoulder and lap belt. However, 113 individuals, or 4.4% of the total, were recorded as using no safety equipment at all.

Crashes in Seneca County were almost evenly split between single-vehicle and two-vehicle incidents. Two-vehicle collisions were slightly more common, accounting for 49.3% (667) of all crashes, while single-vehicle crashes made up 47.0% (635). Crashes involving three or more vehicles were less frequent, representing 3.7% of the total.