ALERT: Watch for Wildlife This Fall
Each year, as fall brings cooler temperatures to most areas of the U.S. and more people take to the roads to enjoy nature's beauty, automobile collisions with wild animals - particularly deer - spike between October and December. This three-month period is the prime migrating and mating seasons for many animals in the wild.
Facts
A study of auto accidents in 2005 by State Farm found that 1.5 million drivers were involved in accidents described as a "collision with a deer" that year. While deer was the most cited animal, by far, motorists also report an increase in auto accidents involving other wild animals, such as moose, hog and bear.
All told, roadway collisions involving deer killed more than 150 motorists and seriously injured thousands more people. The cost of these accidents was staggering. Vehicle damage caused by accidents between cars and deer cost more than $1.1 billion, the study revealed.
Where do accidents occur?
The short answer is everywhere! Although most accidents occur on dark, rural roads at night, an astonishing number of car-animal collisions happen in broad daylight, particularly during the migration and mating season. Surprisingly, many of these type accidents occur on busy city streets that border brush or wooded areas.
Deer-car accidents happen in practically all states. The State Farm study found that seven of the top 10 states for deer-car accidents in 2005 were in the northern part of the U.S., with Pennsylvania topping the list. However, three southern states - Texas, Virginia and Georgia - also appeared in the top 10.
What can you do?
Sometimes, even the most alert driver cannot avoid a collision with a deer or other wild animal. Many drivers reported not seeing the animal until hearing the "crash" caused by the deer or other animal striking the car. Wild animals move very quickly when startled and often dart across a busy street, even when traffic is moving swiftly.
One thing you can do to minimize your risk of striking a deer or other animal is to pay attention to the road and the areas immediately adjacent to it. Here are some other tips you can use this fall:
Drive with high-beams on at night
When possible, use your car's high-beams at night. Doing so will better illuminate brush and woods bordering the roadway and will help you to see animals that are close to the road.
Slow down in densely wooded areas
Drive slowly and cautiously if you are driving on a road surrounded by heavy woods and brush, even in daylight. Remember, a deer collision can happen on the busiest street in the middle of the day when drivers least expect to see a deer and also are at the mercy of traffic.
Watch the road constantly
Distractions such as a cell phone, navigation device or your passengers can increase the probability of all accidents. Don't use these electronic devices and minimize distracting conversations while driving.
Don't rely on gimmicks
Deer whistles are a popular gadget many people use in an effort to scare deer away from their vehicles. However, studies have found that these devices don't have any effect on the animal.
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