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Don't Take a Ride on the Wild Side
Since we’re in the auto insurance business, we obviously know quite
a bit about common auto insurance claims. We're also interested
in promoting safe driving.
A very common, yet avoidable auto insurance claim involves collisions
with deer and other wildlife. On average, a collision with a deer results in $2,000 worth of repairs. Read on to learn more out about this type of auto insurance claim, and what you can do to prevent it.
Oh Deer!
Deer are the most common animals involved in collisions. Every year, there are hundreds of thousands of deer-vehicle collisions across the country, and the number is steadily rising. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, animal-collision claims have increased nearly 15 percent over the past 5 years. Given that some experts estimate the national deer population to be 27 million, this isn’t surprising.
Around 13,000 motorists are injured in these collisions every year, and the number of fatalities, while significantly smaller, is on the rise. In 1993, 101 fatalities were reported as a result of animal-involved crashes. By 2007, that number had more than doubled to 223.
Deer Details
During the day, it's somewhat easier to see deer near roadways. However,
deer have natural camouflage that makes detecting them difficult, particularly
if you’re traveling at high speeds on a major interstate or a rural
highway.
In evening hours, it’s extremely difficult to see deer. Since deer
are active in the very early mornings and evenings, drive with extra care.
Remember that 90 percent of all accidents involving deer occur between
dusk and dawn.
No matter the hour, if you spot a deer while driving, slow down. Chances
are, there are more deer in the area, and it’ll be easier to see
them at lower speeds.
Though deer are active for much of the year, fall mating season is generally
the time of greatest danger for both deer and motorists. Deer accidents
peak in most areas in November. In fact, according to a news release from the Highway Loss Data Institute, the number of animal collision insurance claims is nearly 3 times higher in November than in other months.
Deer may also be on the move looking for food in winter and spring months, particularly in mountain areas.
If you're driving through an area with roads protected by a deer fence,
be aware that animals, like people, learn which routes are easier to get
to and fro. Consequently, deer often cross roads where deer fences begin
and end. Keep an eye out for signs or indications that roadside fencing
is no longer in place.
Some companies have manufactured deer whistles to attach to cars. These
whistles emit a sound that purportedly only bothers deer. Various safety
agencies are currently reviewing the utility of such devices, though it
remains to be seen whether such whistles and warning devices serve to
deter deer in any way.
From Bambi to Bullwinkle
Though deer make up the majority of animals involved in collisions with
vehicles, collisions with moose and other large animals are also on the
rise.
However, when a driver hits a moose, injuries to motorists tend to be
much more severe, since a moose's body weight is greater than a deer's.
Additionally, a motorist's head and neck injuries are also more pronounced
due to the fact that a moose's body rests high on its stilt-like legs,
causing the moose's full body weight to crash squarely into the windshields
of many cars.
As with deer, if you're looking to avoid crashing into a moose or other
animal, be particularly cautious during early morning hours (from 4 to
6 a.m.) and evening hours (between 6 to 11 p.m.) When considering crash
statistics involving all animals, nighttime is always the most dangerous
for both drivers and wildlife.
In addition, most injuries and fatalities can be avoided by simply wearing a seatbelt.
Of the 147 animal collision-related fatalities reported between 2000 and 2002, 60 percent of the victims weren’t
wearing safety belts.
By slowing down, being alert, wearing your seatbelt, and minimizing driving in wildlife-rich areas during peak hours and seasons,
you can avoid taking a potentially frightening ride on the wild side, one of the most preventable auto insurance claims around.
For more information regarding this topic and to see a state-by-state breakdown of animal collision statistics, visit the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
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