Vehicle Accidents Involving Deer Are on the Rise
Posted by
Greg OwenFebruary 02, 2007 5:30 PMAs awful a thought as it is, on the U.S. roads, many accidents occur when drivers strike deer. Last year alone, State Farm Insurance reported a 6 percent increase in their claims. Depending on the area, that number appears to be at the low end of the scale.
It is estimated by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 1.5 million deer-vehicle collisions occur each year in the U.S., causing around 200 human deaths and more than $1.1 billion in insurance claims. The average cost of the property damage in 2006 was $2,800.
In many towns, the deer-vehicle accidents have actually doubled since 2005. For example, in Greenwich there were 86 in 2006 compared to 38 in 2005. Of course, these number a much higher in rural areas. The number greatly increase during the October to December, which is deer mating season, and deer are most mobile.
The number of deer is on the rise. Population control of the deer is being increased in communities such as Greenwich, New Canaan, Darien, Ridgefield, Redding and Wilton. So, if you are from a rural area or plan to travel in any rural areas in the future, keep your eyes wide open and consider yourself warned.