Worst states for auto-deer crashes

Insurance survey finds wrecks are up 6%; costs up too.

November 14 2006: 5:36 PM EST


NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Drivers smashing into deer on U.S. roads is an increasing, costly and dangerous problem, according to an insurance survey released Tuesday.

Deer-related car crashes, including wrecks involving elk and moose, are up almost six percent compared to last year's deer season, according to the report by State Farm Insurance.


Deer collisions become more frequent during fall and winter due to deer migration and mating season, which typically occur from October through December.

About 1.5 million deer-vehicle collisions happen each year in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Those accidents cause about 150 deaths and $1.1 billion in property damage annually, according to NHTSA.

State Farm policy holders were involved in 192,877 deer-related collisions this year versus 182,458 last year. The average property damage cost was $2,800, $300 more than last year, State Farm said.

Increasing deer populations and the encroachment of urban sprawl into the deer's natural habitat have added to the risk, according to State Farm.

State Farm advises motorists to be aware of "Deer crossing" signs. Drivers should also use high-beam headlights as much as possible and be aware that deer tend to travel in packs. Where there is one, more are probably close behind.

"Deer whistles," devices that attach to the vehicles' front bumpers, have been shown to be ineffective, State Farm said.

Some states have far more deer collisions than others. According to State Farm's claim statistics, the 10 states with the most deer crashes between June 1, 2005 and June 30, 2006 account for more than half of all such claims.

Pennsylvania
Michigan
Illinois
Ohio
Georgia
Virginia
Minnesota
Texas
Indiana
South Carolina

http://money.cnn.com/2006/11/14/auto...rash/index.htm

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yep, I almost hit one tonight again. it's inevitable.

 

Well dammit they should just eliminate all deer so that way dumbasses can continue to drive at full speed without having to pay attention to whats around them.

 

If I ever hit a moose I'm pretty sure I'd shit myself.

 

If you survived hitting a moose I would buy you a case of your favorite beer.

Not much left after a moose accident. They have a habit of taking on trains head first, even though the moose dies they tend to also take out the lead engine as well.

 

I've always wanted to see one hiking but have never had the opportunity...how much do they typically weigh, 1200-1500 lbs?

 

I've never seen so many deer on the side of the road as I have this year.

Fucking tourists

 

Just think of a horse but a bit larger and with a much more dangerous attitude. If you do see one seriously keep a very large distance between you, they are pretty nimble and don't like to be fucked with at all.

 

Yeah I've seen a lot of shows on them and know they have a super agressive nature...but I'd love to see one in the wild. I've been less than 100 yards from a family of wild black bears, that was pretty crazy.

 

Yeah I had one attack my truck once when I lived in Montana. We were up shooting the shotgun and my buddy thought it was bright to take a potshot at one. Grazed it with a couple pellets. Thing took two good pushes at the back of the truck and lost interest when we revved the engine and spun the fuck out of there.

Needless to say I slapped the shit out of my friend and he never went shooting with me again.

 

Now that's a damn good story. Meeses are animals I would never want to mess with.