Deer pose risk to motorists
The unseasonably cool weather of the past week or two is but a harbinger of the coming fall and winter months when the increase in car/deer collisions will reach its peak. The months of September through December are when motorists should exercise caution behind the wheel during the hours when deer are most active.
Nationwide there are 1.5 million car/deer accidents per year causing more than $1 billion in vehicle damage, an average of 150 deaths and at least 10,000 personal injuries, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Web site. The site goes on to say that, "numbers are probably higher because NHTSA figures for deer accidents rely on inconsistent state reporting. There is no standard reporting in the country and what is a reportable accident varies between states."
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, there were 3,419 deer/car accidents in 2007 resulting in 5 deaths and injuries in 276 cases. That number is only 2.1 percent of all traffic accidents in the state. Almost a quarter, 22 percent, of those occurred in November. Not only is November a time of increased feeding activity of whitetail deer, it is also the peak of the yearly rut or breeding cycle of deer. Of those accidents, one in five occurred between the hours of 5 to 8 a.m. and 54.7 percent of them happened from 5 p.m. to midnight. One other factor worth noting is that 82.3 percent of all deer/ car collisions in the state occurred on wet roads.
Missouri has a healthy deer population. The Missouri Department of Conservation says an estimated 1 to 1.5 million deer inhabit all areas of the state. However, high deer numbers do not mean more accidents. "Counties with the lowest crash numbers have some of the highest deer densities according to harvest records," thaat information is according to the Insurance Information Institute Web site, www.iii.org. The MDC says "habitat loss appears to be more of a factor increasing car/deer accidents than it does to overall regional deer population problems."
There are a number of precautions motorists can take while driving in areas where they might encounter a deer. Actually, that can be any where; deer are regularly seen deer in the city of Nevada, and that doesn't mean on the edge of town. They are sometimes just a few blocks from the square. Be cautious during those hours mentioned above when driving in areas of town that have enough cover to hide deer or a food source to attract them.
Numerous sources claim that the "deer whistles" you can purchase for your car are ineffective. They cite different reasons for this, but most do agree that they will not keep a deer from getting in the way of your vehicle. Don't be afraid to use your horn; a long blast will often get deer moving.
The best defense is a good offense. Wear your seatbelt. Drive cautiously, keeping in mind that a deer can appear suddenly and seemingly out of nowhere. Be especially watchful during the peak hours and when inclement weather makes the roads wet. If you see one deer expect more.
If a deer does get in your path, brake firmly and hit the horn, but do not veer out of your lane. An effort to miss a deer can lead to a more serious accident. Hitting a deer is not pleasant, but it is much better than hitting another vehicle or veering off the road to crash, perhaps roll over. The deer will damage your car, but you will be much safer hitting it than if you try to avoid the impact.
If you do hit a deer, call the nearest law enforcement agency. Accident reports are required by most insurance carriers. Move your vehicle out of the roadway if possible. Do not approach the animal. If you wish to keep the animal, you must contact the local conservation agent and complete the proper form. All the form does is give you permission to possess the animal; it does not imply any fault on your part or that of the state. Vernon County Conservation Agent Shawn Pennington said he "has signed off several of the forms with the sherrif's office," so there is no need to call the county agent.
For more information about car/deer accidents visit contact the sources above or your insurance agent. You can also find more information by contacting the Missouri Department of Conservation's Web site at mdc.mo.gov or contacting the El Dorado Springs office at (417) 876-5226.