Brace yourselves, Kentucky drivers; the annual
three-month increase in roadway encounters, and unfortunate collisions, with
white-tailed deer is once again upon us.
Deer can certainly be spotted around Kentucky any time of
year, but for the next three months their activity – and likelihood of becoming
a costly, if not deadly, roadway hazard – increases dramatically. Drivers across the
Commonwealth are anywhere from two to seven times as likely to collide with a
deer on the road in November as they are during the first nine months of the
year.
Beyond being a nuisance, the cost of these deer collision
accidents is also quite significant. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
(IIHS) estimated that each year white-tailed deer across the nation cause car
accidents responsible for tens of thousands of injuries and the deaths of
approximately 200 Americans. Those collisions also carry the hefty price tag of
$4.6 billion in insurance claims annually.
Regionalizing those numbers, Kentucky State Police (KSP)
data reports that Kentuckians were in a total of 3,092 automobile collisions
with deer in 2014 (128 more than in 2013). Those accidents resulted in 62
injuries (nine fewer injuries from the year prior) and three deaths (zero
deaths reported in 2013). Overall, Kentucky is ranked as the fourth highest state in the country by IIHS
for animal collision claims during this peak season.
Vehicular collisions with deer increase during this time
of year in conjunction with the annual peak season for deer mating. Deer are
also naturally migrating in the fall, and urban sprawl has introduced many new
roads into the natural habitats of these animals. Kentucky’s simultaneously
exploding deer population only expands the opportunity for these accidents to
occur. Consequently, deer are seen and struck on the roadways during the last
three months of the year almost more often than all the other nine months
combined.
Now that this seasonal jump in deer activity is here,
drivers should take the time to be aware of their surroundings even more than
usual. KFB advises motorists to drive defensively on the roadways this fall,
especially when headed through wooded areas where deer are likely to be seen.
Tips
to help drivers avoid deer collisions:
Watch for deer crossing signs. These signs are posted to
alert drivers that certain stretches of the road are commonly populated with
deer – do not ignore the warning.
Be aware of the time. Deer are most commonly seen
along roadways in the early morning and evening hours. Exercise additional
caution if traveling during these times of day.
When
driving after dark, use high-beam headlights to increase the range of
vision.
If
a deer is spotted on or near the road, slow down immediately.
Don’t swerve if a deer is in the road.
Brake firmly but keep the vehicle headed in a straight line. A swerving vehicle
can confuse the animal and prevent it from picking a direction to flee, or,
worse yet, the driver could lose control and hit a tree or another car.
Always wear a seat belt. The Kentucky State Police
reports that most people injured or killed in automobile collisions with deer
are not wearing seat belts.
