Thousands injured each year from deer collisions Published Dec. 1, 2009 By Tech. Sgt. James Fountain 17th Training Wing Safety GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are about 1.5 million car accidents involving deer each year that result in $1 billion in vehicle damage, about 150 human fatalities and over 10,000 personal injuries. The actual numbers are probably higher because the NHTSA's figures for deer accidents rely on inconsistent state reporting- there is no standard reporting of deer accidents in the country yet and a "reportable deer accident" varies significantly between states. In Texas, a minimum of 1,257 injuries per year have occurred due to deer-vehicle collisions since 2003. The lowest amount of accidents in any given year was 5,738 in 2004 and the highest was 6,747 in 2006. The lowest amount of fatalities involving deer collisions was 15 in 2005 with the highest being 23 in 2006. Avoiding Accidents Most of these accidents occur between dusk and dawn. Drivers need to be especially careful where roads pass through wooded or rural areas. The most important thing drivers can do to reduce the chances of an accident with a deer is to drive the speed limit or slower. At night, reduce speeds below the limit, especially in rain, snow or fog. Deer usually travel in groups and generally maintain a home range of about one square mile. If you see a deer cross the road, slow down and use caution. Often additional deer are out of view and more are likely to follow. A deer standing calmly in a field may suddenly jump into the road. Anticipate the potential for this rapid change in posture. Elevate your deer awareness at locations with deer crossing signs. Deer crossing signs indicate areas where heavily used deer trails cross roadways. Slow down and watch for the eye-shine of deer near the roadway edges. Be especially aware during the morning and afternoon. Deer tend to be more active during the early morning hours and late afternoon hour's year round. This is when they are moving between their evening feeding areas and their daytime bedding sites. Be especially cautious during seasons of high deer activity including - October to January during the breeding season, and May and June when yearlings are seeking new territories. In Spring, deer move and tend to gravitate near roadway shoulders for the first greening grass and remaining roadway salt. Slow down to avoid hitting a deer, but do not swerve. This can cause you to lose control and strike another vehicle or to leave the highway and strike a tree or other object. Injuries to drivers and passengers increase when the vehicle swerves. What do I do if a deer suddenly jumps in front of the car? Of course every case is different, but there are a few things to consider if you find yourself in this situation. The most important thing to remember is to maintain control of your car. Apply the brakes in a controlled manner. Deer are quick and agile animals. It is more likely that they will leap out of your path faster than you can brake and steer around them. Most serious injuries occur when a driver skids out of control and leaves the road or, worst of all, swerves into oncoming traffic. Obviously these circumstances arise quickly, allowing very little time to react. Try to think ahead. When you see a deer crossing sign, think about what you would do if you suddenly had a deer jump into the road. Mentally practice keeping a cool head and reacting in a controlled fashion. If it should happen one day you will be more likely to react appropriately. In the event of an accident Motorists and passengers involved should provide assistance to anyone injured. Do not attempt to remove a dead or injured deer from a busy roadway. Instead, contact local, county or state law enforcement officials. References: St. Mary's Department of Public Works - http://www.co.saint-marys.md.us/dpw Deer Vehicle Crash Information Clearinghouse http://www.deercrash.com Insurance Institute for Highway Safety - http://www.iihs.org
