According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are about 1 million car accidents with deer each year that kill 200 Americans, cause more than 10,000 personal injuries, and result in $1 billion in vehicle damage. This a big problem in the U.S. and it seems we have entered into the most dangerous month. According to State Farm, more collisions between cars and deer occur in November than in any other month. This is most likely due to the mating season of the North American deer, which runs from late October to December.
There are some locations that will put a person more at risk to have a collision with a deer. West Virginia is the number one state where a driver is most likely to run into a deer. The other states in the top 10 are Iowa, South Dakota, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Montana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wyoming. While N.C. is not in the top ten, drivers here do have a high risk of being in an accident with a deer. This risk can also vary based on the urbanization of an area. People living in areas with more wooded areas and agriculture are going to have a higher risk than those living in cities.
It’s important for everyone to be aware of these grave statistics. To protect yourself and your family you should always keep your eyes on the road and be aware of the times and locations that put you at a higher risk for a collision with a deer. You should keep a lookout for signs that warn about deer crossing. Studies have shown that these warning signs can reduce collisions by 34%. It is also important for everyone to wear their seatbelt while traveling in the car. A study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in 2004, found that 60% of people who died in a vehicle-animal collision were not wearing seat belts.
