Car crashes can happen to anyone on any road. However, knowing some information about who they affect most and where they are more likely to happen can help Ohioans protect themselves whenever they are out on the road.
Who is involved?
A crash causing injuries happens far too often in Ohio. In Stark County alone, a person suffers injuries in a collision on average of once every 180 minutes. Most crash victims are males, and 30 percent of crashes involve a drunk driver.
According to statistics from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the types of people killed in fatal crashes in Ohio in 2021 were:
- Car occupants (38 percent of victims)
- Truck or SUV occupants (27 percent of victims)
- Motorcyclists (17 percent)
- Pedestrians (13 percent)
Further, hundreds of road users die or suffer catastrophic injuries every year because they are impaired or not wearing their seatbelts.
Where do they happen?
Across Ohio, nearly 60 percent of fatal crashes happen on urban roads versus 38 percent on rural roads. Over half occur during daylight hours and summer months. In other words, accidents can and do still happen even if the roads are dry and the weather is clear.
Franklin County is home to the highest number of fatal crashes, and some of the most dangerous roads include:
- I-71
- I-75
- I-480
- CR-75 Cleveland Ave
These areas reported high percentages of injury-causing and fatal crashes in recent years.
Troubling trends to be aware of
Unfortunately, the number of fatal crashes in Ohio was higher in 2021 than in the four years prior. And in Stark County, the Ohio State Highway Patrol has investigated 799 accidents, compared to the 827 investigated in all of 2021.
Further, national statistics show that reckless, dangerous driving has increased across all states since the start of the pandemic.
Important takeaways
This information should show readers that no one is immune to the risks of car accidents. But if you are driving in certain areas or under certain conditions, you could be at an increased risk of crashing.
When you get behind the wheel, wear your seat belt, pay attention and obey traffic laws. Being sober and driving defensively is also crucial. When you take these precautions, you can be more likely to reach your destination safely.