270,021 CRASHES IN
OHIO, OH
2021

Motorists comprised the largest group of individuals killed or seriously injured, with 1,185 fatalities and 98,230 injuries. Pedestrians also faced significant risk, accounting for 182 fatalities and 2,199 injuries from 2,448 crashes. According to the data, there were no cyclists killed or injured during this period, despite 1,131 bicycle-involved crashes being recorded.

Crash frequencies peaked on Fridays, which saw 44,730 incidents, and during the 4 p.m. hour, with 21,577 crashes. Collisions occurred more often in daylight, which accounted for 172,291 crashes, compared to 81,329 crashes in dark conditions. The afternoon commute, particularly between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., represents the highest-risk period of the day.

The vast majority of crashes, 73.7% or 198,938 incidents, resulted in no injuries. Injury-involved crashes, including serious, minor, and possible injuries, accounted for 25.9% of the total. A total of 1,255 crashes were fatal, which is distinct from the total of 1,367 persons killed, as a single crash can result in multiple fatalities.

Severity is per crash event (most severe injury). 1,255 fatal crash events resulted in 1,367 persons killed.

Most crashes occurred in favorable conditions, with 64% happening in daylight, 76% on dry road surfaces, and 61% in clear weather. Adverse conditions were less frequent but still significant, with 49,434 crashes occurring on wet roads and 28,221 during rain. Crashes in snowy conditions were reported in 9,782 instances.

Among the 603,678 people involved in crashes, the 26-34 age group was the most represented, with 97,059 individuals. Analysis of the 483,837 vehicles involved shows that the most frequent makes were Chevrolet (72,963), Ford (69,129), and Honda (41,486). These three makes alone accounted for a significant portion of the vehicles in reported incidents.

The initial harmful event for most crashes, 224,253 incidents, occurred on the roadway itself. However, a notable number of crashes were run-off-road events, with 22,441 occurring on the roadside, 9,512 on the shoulder, and 1,909 in the median. Combined, these off-roadway locations accounted for 33,862 crashes, or about 12.5% of the total.

Among vehicle units involved in crashes where traffic control was documented, the largest number, 314,492, were at locations with no traffic controls. Locations with traffic signals accounted for 124,492 vehicle involvements, while those with stop signs were associated with 34,553 vehicle involvements.

Analysis of driver actions shows that 'Following too Close / ACDA' was the most cited contributing factor, attributed to 60,283 vehicle units. 'Failure to Yield' was the second most common factor with 38,106 units, followed by 'Other Improper Action' with 32,610 units and 'Drove off Road' with 25,618 units.

Crashes in 2021 involved 20,276 commercial trucks. Of these, 11,432 were identified as semi-tractor trailers, while the remaining 8,844 were classified as other types of commercial vehicles. These vehicles represent a notable segment of crash involvements.

A total of 7,552 crashes involved motorcyclists, pedestrians, or bicyclists. Motorcyclists were the most frequent group, with 3,973 involvements. Vulnerable road users, defined as pedestrians and bicyclists, were involved in a combined 3,579 crashes (2,448 pedestrian and 1,131 bicyclist).

There were 19,913 crashes involving animals recorded in 2021. The vast majority of these, 18,663 incidents or 93.7%, were strikes involving deer. The remaining 1,250 crashes involved other, unspecified types of animals.

Impairment was a factor in 13,783 crashes, representing 5.1% of all incidents. Alcohol was the most common form of impairment, cited in 9,495 cases. Drugs were cited in 2,682 cases, and a combination of alcohol and drugs was noted in 1,606 cases.

While most drivers were recorded as 'Apparently Normal,' a total of 19,013 drivers were noted to have an abnormal condition. The most common of these was being 'Under the Influence of Medications / Drugs / Alcohol,' with 11,307 drivers. Other documented conditions included fatigue or falling asleep (2,908 drivers) and physical impairment (2,012 drivers).

Among drivers for whom a distraction was recorded, the most common issues originated from within or outside the vehicle. 'Other distraction inside the vehicle' was noted for 6,627 drivers, and 'Other distraction outside the vehicle' for 4,892 drivers. Manually operating an electronic device was a factor for 1,844 drivers, while another 1,888 were distracted by other electronic device activity.

The majority of crashes, 204,245 incidents, occurred on straight and level road segments. However, road geometry played a role in a substantial number of crashes, with 9.8% of all incidents (26,486 crashes) taking place on curves. Road grade was a factor in 18.9% of crashes (51,165 incidents), which includes both straight and curved graded sections.

The geographic distribution of crashes is concentrated in Ohio's major urban centers. Cincinnati (15,647), Cleveland (15,279), and Columbus (14,089) were the top three cities by crash volume. Together, these three cities accounted for 45,015 crashes, representing approximately 16.7% of the statewide total.

Analysis of vehicle actions immediately prior to a crash shows that 'Straight Ahead' was the most common maneuver, reported for 258,905 vehicles, or 53.5% of all units involved. The second most frequent pre-crash action was 'Slowing or Stopped In Traffic,' accounting for 70,508 vehicles (14.6%). Making a left turn was the third most common action, noted for 39,771 vehicles (8.2%).

The most common crash type was a single-vehicle incident, classified as 'Not Collision Between Two Vehicles in Transport,' which accounted for 91,107 crashes or 33.7% of the total. Among multi-vehicle crashes, rear-end collisions were the most frequent, with 64,390 incidents, making up 23.8% of all crashes.

Passenger cars were the most common vehicle type involved in crashes, accounting for 245,213 units, or 50.7% of the total. Sport Utility Vehicles (110,972 units) and Pick-ups (53,930 units) were also frequently involved. Commercial vehicles, including semi-tractors, single-unit trucks, and buses, were involved in a combined 20,623 incidents.

Of the 603,678 individuals involved in crashes, the majority were drivers, accounting for 451,764 people or 74.8% of the total. Vehicle occupants (passengers) were the second-largest group, with 149,302 individuals (24.7%). Pedestrians made up a smaller but significant group, with 2,612 people involved.

Among all 584,573 persons with a documented injury status, 101,796 individuals were either injured or killed, representing 17.4% of the total. This includes 1,367 fatalities, 7,918 serious injuries, and a combined 92,511 minor or possible injuries. The majority of people involved, 482,777 individuals, sustained no injuries.

Among motor vehicle occupants, 471,872 people were recorded as using a shoulder and lap belt. A total of 30,652 occupants were reported as using no safety equipment at all. An additional 20,627 individuals were secured by a child restraint system or booster seat.

Two-vehicle collisions were the most common type of crash, accounting for 179,236 incidents or 66.4% of the total. Single-vehicle crashes were the next most frequent, with 75,073 incidents, representing 27.8% of all crashes. While less common, multi-vehicle pile-ups did occur, including one incident that involved 16 vehicles.