619 CRASHES IN
OHIO, OH
2021

In 2021, traffic crashes resulted in injuries to 199 motorists and one motorist fatality. Additionally, one pedestrian was killed and seven were injured. No fatalities or injuries were recorded for bicyclists during this period.

Crash frequency in Van Wert County peaked on Fridays, which saw a total of 114 incidents. The single most common time for crashes was the 3 p.m. hour, with 49 events recorded. While 340 crashes (55.0%) occurred during daylight, a substantial number, 262 crashes (42.3%), took place during dawn, dusk, or in darkness.

The majority of crashes, 478 out of 619, resulted in no injuries, accounting for 77.2% of all incidents. Injury-involved crashes, including those with serious, minor, or possible injuries, totaled 139, or 22.5% of the total. Two fatal crashes were recorded, which resulted in two fatalities; it is important to note that the number of fatal crashes and fatalities can differ if a single crash involves multiple deaths.

A significant majority of crashes occurred under favorable conditions, with 76.4% (473 incidents) happening on dry road surfaces. Similarly, 56.9% of crashes (352) took place in clear weather and 55.0% (340) occurred in daylight. Adverse conditions were also present in a number of incidents, including 93 crashes on wet roads and 49 during rain.

Among the 1,210 people involved in crashes, the 26-34 age group was the most represented, with 169 individuals. Of the 959 vehicles involved, Chevrolet was the most frequent make with 200 vehicles, followed by Ford with 130 and Dodge with 77.

Analysis of the initial point of impact shows that 493 crashes, or 79.6% of the total, occurred on the primary roadway. A notable 119 incidents, representing 19.2% of all crashes, were classified as run-off-road events, with the first harmful event taking place on the roadside (63), shoulder (19), median (10), or outside the trafficway (27).

Data on traffic controls at crash locations indicates that a majority of vehicle involvements occurred where no traffic control device was present, accounting for 725 units. Involvements at intersections with stop signs were recorded for 107 units, while 115 units were involved in crashes at signalized locations.

Among contributing factors cited for drivers, driving off the road was the most common, listed for 92 vehicle involvements. This was followed by failure to yield, which was a factor in 81 involvements, and following too closely, cited in 76 instances. Unsafe speed was noted as a factor for 38 vehicle involvements.

Crashes in 2021 involved 78 commercial vehicles. Of these, 59 were identified as semi-tractor trailers and 19 were classified as other types of commercial vehicles.

A total of 13 crashes involved vulnerable road users or motorcyclists. These included 8 incidents with pedestrians, 3 with motorcyclists, and 2 with bicyclists. Combined, crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists accounted for 10 of these events.

Collisions with animals were a significant factor in 2021, accounting for 141 crashes, or 22.8% of the total. The vast majority of these incidents, 131 crashes, involved deer. The remaining 10 crashes involved other, unspecified types of animals.

Impairment was a factor in 32 crashes, representing 5.2% of all incidents in 2021. Alcohol was suspected in 20 of these crashes, drugs were suspected in 8, and a combination of alcohol and drugs was suspected in 4.

Out of 893 drivers involved in crashes, 43 were noted as having a condition other than 'Apparently Normal'. The most cited condition was 'Under the Influence of Medications / Drugs / Alcohol', recorded for 27 drivers. An additional 8 drivers were reported as having fallen asleep, fainted, or being fatigued.

For the 893 drivers involved, a specific distraction was identified for 40 individuals. The most common citation was 'Other distraction inside the vehicle,' noted for 16 drivers, followed by 'Other distraction outside the vehicle' for 8 drivers. Six drivers were reportedly distracted by a passenger.

The majority of crashes, 538 out of 619, occurred on straight and level sections of roadway. However, 50 crashes (8.1%) happened on curves, and 47 crashes (7.6%) occurred on grades, which can elevate crash risk.

The geographic distribution of crashes was concentrated in a few key areas, with the city of Van Wert accounting for 218 incidents, or 35.2% of the county's total. The township of Pleasant saw the second-highest number with 68 crashes (11.0%), followed by the township of Ridge with 48 crashes (7.8%).

Examining the actions of the 959 vehicles prior to collision, the most common maneuver was driving straight ahead, which was reported for 562 vehicles (58.6%). The second most frequent pre-crash action was slowing or stopping in traffic, accounting for 120 vehicles (12.5%). Making a left turn was the third most common action, reported for 62 vehicles.

The most frequent crash type was 'Not Collision Between Two Vehicles in Transport,' which includes single-vehicle crashes like striking a fixed object or animal, accounting for 355 incidents (57.4%). Among multi-vehicle crashes, angle collisions were the most common, with 115 incidents (18.6%), followed by rear-end collisions with 80 incidents (12.9%).

Passenger cars were the most common vehicle type involved in crashes, accounting for 399 of the 959 total vehicles (41.6%). Sport utility vehicles were the second most common with 206 involvements. Commercial vehicles, including semi-tractors, single-unit trucks, and buses, were involved in 9.7% of incidents.

Of the 1,210 individuals involved in crashes, the majority were drivers, accounting for 893 people (73.8%). Passengers (occupants) made up the next largest group with 309 individuals (25.5%). A small fraction, 8 people (0.7%), were pedestrians.

Across all 1,210 people involved in crashes, 998 individuals (82.5%) sustained no injuries. A total of 206 people were injured, representing 17.0% of all persons involved. Two individuals sustained fatal injuries, accounting for 0.17% of the total.

Among 1,115 occupants for whom safety equipment use was known, 999 were reported as using a shoulder and lap belt. Forty-two individuals, or 3.8% of this group, were recorded as using no safety restraint at the time of the crash. Child restraints, including forward-facing, rear-facing, and booster seats, were used by 48 occupants.

The 619 crashes were almost evenly split between single-vehicle and two-vehicle incidents. Single-vehicle crashes accounted for 299 events (48.3%), while two-vehicle crashes accounted for 304 events (49.1%). Crashes involving three or more vehicles were less common, representing 16 incidents or 2.6% of the total.