Be Alert: Fall is Deer-in-the-Road Season

Be on the Lookout for Deer in the Road

Now that Fall has officially arrived, it is time to be more aware of the risk of encountering a deer in the road, especially in rural areas. The risk of hitting a deer increases around dawn and dusk and when there is a full moon.

Not an Insignificant Problem

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are more than one million car crashes involving deer every year throughout the country. Those accidents result in around a billion dollars in property damage, approximately 200 human fatalities, and close to 30,000 serious injuries. 

Can I Avoid Hitting a Deer in the Road?

It may seem like an impossibility to be able to avoid an unpredictable deer, but if you are aware of the greater potential of hitting one at certain times and in certain places, you may be able to mitigate the risks by using extra caution.

Research on the issue has revealed that the time of the day, month, and year factor into the risk of hitting a deer. There are some elements of risk that relate to driver behavior. For example, an increase in deer accidents occurs during times that traffic is heavy, motorists are at their least alert, and the road conditions are least conducive to spotting animals. 

Deer Danger at Dawn and Dusk

There are other factors involved in deer accidents that relate to the behavior of the animal. Deer accidents happen most frequently at dawn and dusk because those are the times of day when deer are most active. Also, because of decreased visibility due to dim lighting, drivers are less likely to be able to spot them in time to avoid a collision. Only around 20% of deer accidents happen during daylight hours. They are eight times more likely to happen around dusk than during daylight hours, and four times more likely to occur at dusk than after full darkness has fallen.

Given the correlation between dawn, dusk, and deer accidents, it follows that these collisions happen most frequently on days with the most cars on the road at dawn or dusk, such as during work commuter hours, and during Friday or Saturday “date night” traffic patterns.

Beware the Full Moon 

Over the course of a month, the greatest number of deer accidents happen during the full moon, and during the time of the night that the moon shines brightest. Deer behavior means that they may be on the move and more likely to enter the road when there is bright illumination at night. 

Keep an Eye Out in Autumn

Deer accidents increase in autumn, largely due to mating behavior when bucks are on the prowl for does. It appears that deer versus vehicle accidents usually hit their yearly peak during late October and early November. During that period, there are approximately four times as many deer collisions as there are in springtime. The ending of daylight saving time also plays into the increased risks during this time of year because more commuters are on the road during the higher-risk dusk hours. 

You Could Encounter a Deer in the Road at Any Time

While certain times of the day and year do cause an increased risk, it is still very possible to encounter a deer in the road at any time. It is also important to remember that deer frequently show up in urban areas as well as on more rural roads.

According to the insurance company State Farm, approximately ninety percent of their insurance claims for damage caused by wildlife collisions involve deer.

Watch the YouTube video. The clip below, uploaded by Inside Edition, gives tips on how to avoid a deer in the road.

Placerville Personal Injury Lawyer

I’m Ed Smith, a Placerville personal injury lawyer. If you have been injured in a car accident that was caused by another driver’s negligence, please call our experienced injury attorney for free and friendly advice at (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400.

Photo: by Manuchi on Pixabay

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