LORAIN — Traffic crashes in Lorain are rising sharply in 2026, according to newly released data from the Lorain Police Department.
The department’s latest weekly report shows Lorain recorded 543 crashes year-to-date through May 1, compared with 445 during the same period in 2025, a 22% increase.
The report, prepared by the Lorain Police Crime Analysis Unit, tracks crash activity across the city and identifies when and where crashes are occurring most frequently.
Weekend, Afternoon Crashes Lead The Way
According to the report, Saturdays recorded the highest number of crashes during the reporting period with 19, followed by Fridays with 16 and Mondays with 12.
Crash activity also appeared to peak during afternoon and early evening hours.
The busiest times listed in the report included:
5 p.m. — 11 crashes
3 p.m. — 9 crashes
4 p.m. — 7 crashes
2 p.m. — 6 crashes
The crash totals were highest during afternoon and early evening hours, periods that often coincide with heavier traffic volume. However, the report itself does not identify specific causes for the increase.
Crash Hotspots Identified
The report’s crash hotspot maps show heavier concentrations of crashes along several major Lorain corridors, including portions of Broadway, Oberlin Avenue, Erie Avenue, Leavitt Road and downtown Lorain.
Police did not identify any single roadway as the cause of the increase. The maps instead show areas where crashes were most concentrated during the reporting period.
Overall Cases Down Despite Crash Increase
While crashes are trending upward, the report also showed overall reported police cases in Lorain are down compared with last year.
The department reported 1,524 total cases year-to-date in 2026, compared with 1,703 at the same point in 2025, representing a 10.5% decrease overall.
