To help members prevent seasonal losses, Local Government Insurance Trust (LGIT) has provided the following tips on how to prevent or reduce losses from the types of causes that trends show to be the most frequent or severe. One of LGIT's September-December seasonal articles concerns "Avoiding Deer Collisions.”
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety estimates that last year there were over 1.5 million deer-to-vehicle collisions which equaled a total of $1.1 billion in physical damages and 180 human deaths. Annually for LGIT there are 170 claims of this type totaling nearly $300,000 in damages. Often the vehicles involved in this type of collision are driven by law enforcement personnel. Fortunately, there are some simple things all of us can do while driving to avoid or prevent a collision with a deer.
Stay alert! The best way to spot a deer is to look for movement on the side of the road. Most often, deer are seen at dawn and dusk. When driving conditions allow, travel with your vehicle's high beams on to look for reflection from the deer's eyes. Remember that deer frequently travel in herds; missing one deer doesn't mean that another isn't nearby. The most likely time of the year to strike a deer is during the hunting or mating season, between October and December.
If you are faced with a deer collision, there are a few important points to remember. The most important is to turn your vehicle to the right and not to the left. If you must pull out of your lane to avoid a collision, turn your vehicle to the right as far as needed, off the road if necessary. Never pull into the opposite lane, as this could lead to a head-on collision with another vehicle, which is likely to be worse than hitting the deer itself. Remember to travel at a speed that is appropriate to the area and the conditions; the slower you are traveling, the more time and options you have. If you must leave the road, do so by simply guiding the car off the road, avoiding sudden and forceful actions. If possible, try to gently guide the car back onto the road. Slamming on the gas or the brakes when turning off or back onto the road can be more dangerous than simply guiding the car where you intend for it to go. Always watch where you are going instead of watching the animal, because that might cause you to steer towards the deer. If you must hit something when you turn off the road, try to hit it off center of the vehicle with a glancing blow; every inch off center will greatly decrease the amount of damage and the potential for driver and passenger injury.
If a collision with a deer cannot be avoided and the deer is struck, there are a few simple guidelines to follow. Immediately inspect the damage to the vehicle and, if possible, move the vehicle off the road. Make sure your hazard lights are on. If the vehicle is immobile, make sure to set up the correct traffic devices such as fluorescent triangles or flares. Never attempt to touch or move the deer. Remember that deer are wild animals that carry diseases, and when injured, are likely to try and defend themselves.
If you must travel through areas known to have a large deer population, slow down, stay alert and stay safe!
The following shows how to best minimize damages:
Techniques to Avoid Deer Collisions:
1. Travel at the posted speed limit.
2. Stay alert.
3. Be aware of posted deer crossings and where forested or agricultural areas meet the roadway.
4. Use simple scanning techniques while driving, looking at both sides of the road, keeping your eyes moving.
5. Look for deer especially at dawn and dusk and the hours shortly before and after dawn and dusk.
If you strike a deer:
1. Move the vehicle to a safe location off the road.
2. Make sure your hazard lights are on.
3. Inspect the vehicle for damage.
4. Put out flares or reflective warning devices to warn other drivers of your damaged vehicle.
5. Make note of important information for your insurer.
6. Report the event as soon as possible.