Auto Accidents Involving Deer Versus Car
Posted: Tuesday, September 20, 2011
by The Old Gray Mare
www.DressYourHorse.com
Auto accidents involving car versus deer skyrocket from October through December. The toll is high – across the nation, there are approximately 1.6-million crashes directly related to deer. During this time, deer go into their mating season and bucks run the does. In addition, hunting season starts in the fall.
There are many states that rank consistently high in deer-auto accident statistics. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, about 150 fatalities are linked to crashes with over $1-billion in property damage.
According to some of the experts, there are tips to follow to avoid hitting deer. The most important is not leave your driveway without wearing your seatbelt!
Slow down especially in areas where deer crossing signs are posted. If you see one deer ready to jump into the road, decelerate. Be aware that other deer may follow. Deer are herd animals and frequently travel in groups.
Don’t slam on your brakes since panic stops often interfere with your steering control. Drive defensively.
Watch roadsides, especially near wooded land. If you see deer crossing signs, understand they are posted because there is deer activity.
Avoid swerving to miss a deer. I know I would find this hard. Perhaps you are the only car approaching or passing the deer and you are able to maneuver safely on the road. The problem is that there may well be other cars. In that case, swerving or dodging deer may get you into bigger problems from those drivers.
Be most alert at dusk and dawn and, of course, at night. Statistics show that most accidents occur between 6 p.m. and midnight when deer are on the move. They are often confused by headlights and may have the worst timing to dash across the highway.
Drive with your high beams engaged if at all possible. Dim for oncoming traffic and cars in front of you but revert to high beams whenever you can.
If you have the misfortune to connect with a deer, stop your car safely. Make sure you and any passengers are OK. Park on the side of the road and flash your hazard lights. It is best not to approach the deer. Report the crash to law enforcement and your insurance company.
It goes without saying I have the fervent hope that none of us encounters a deer-auto incident. Using extra caution might just give us the fine-tuned alertness we need.
The Old Gray Mare writes for www.DressYourHorse.com and her Blog sites.
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Since the PA game commission has made an effort to drastically reduce the herd accidents have decreased, but thousands and thousands are still hit. I passed two dead ones yesterday. Since the state now requires a person to buy a permit to pick one up off the road, many of them now go to waste. Before, they were usually picked up by citizens for the meat. You've inspired me to do a couple "hit deer" stories.Pennsylvania, especially along Route 80 heading to New York, is loaded with deer. They come out to graze the lush greens along the sides of the road and at centers of exits. They seemingly are aware of traffic and are perfectly comfortable. In the morning, however, there is the carnage. Car versus deer is certainly an ugly sight - not pretty for the deer for sure and most ugly for the car and driver too.
Great reminders--thanks.
SteveI'm not sure too much can be done - short of eradicating deer which would be unbelievably sad. But it seemed prudent to at least mention a few tips. Thanks for reading.
Great article. I just saw a bumper sticker that said: "If its brown, it's down". He was a redneck hunter type. I couldn't tell if he was saying - Watch out for your safety, or I just shot it. I felt stupid. Still feel stupid. What did he mean?Know what you mean. To me it means that this redneck dude would shoot it. Makes me think of the kind of hunters that I most dislike - shoot first and ask questions later. I used to live on a road that was stocked annually with pheasant. At the height of pheasant season, these guys would traipse all over private property, despite postings, and shoot at most anything that moved. One day, a car screeched to a halt in front of the house, the guy sprinted out, gun in hand. His car was still running and he left his door open. He ran to the head of the driveway and sent off two shots. One of them bagged a pheasant. I had free-ranging chickens and horses and dogs. I called the cops and game warden on this guy and then had to go to court. But I got his license taken away for a while. Imagine if there were kids at play too?
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