The number of collisions between vehicles and deer has dropped for the third year in a row, according to insurance provider State Farm. Based on its claims data, the company estimates 1.09 million such collisions occurred in the twelve-month period ending June 30, 2011. That represents a 7 percent drop from the year before and a 9 percent drop from two years before but does this mean cheaper car insurance quotes?
On average, deer-vehicle accidents cost $3,171. Collisions with deer or other creatures are not covered under standard auto insurance quotes. Animal collisions fall under the comprehensive portion of auto insurance policies.
Pennsylvania had the most collisions by far, with more than 101,000 recorded in the time frame. Michigan had the second-highest number at 78,304. The chance of a driver striking a deer in the next twelve months was 1 in 86 for Pennsylvanians and 1 in 90 for Michigan residents. It was worst in West Virginia, where drivers have a 1 in 53 probability of experiencing such an accident. In Hawaii, on the other hand, there is only a 1 in 6,267 chance of a driver striking a deer on the road. All accidents should always be reported to the company through which you organise your car insurance quotes through.
Safety Tips
To avoid collisions, the researchers recommended drivers use high beams when possible to detect deer sooner. If deer see the lights, they may behave more cautiously than if they do not perceive traffic. Drivers who see one should expect more the insurance company warned, since deer travel in groups. If a collision seems imminent, drivers should be careful of swerving to avoid the animal, since a strong reaction may cause them to lose control of their vehicle.
Deer are most active between the hours of 6 and 9 p.m., according to the researchers, so drivers should be more cautious at that time of night. They also cautioned against reliance on car-mounted deer whistles.
Seasons and Timing
The most dangerous time of the year for deer collisions was reportedly found to be November, peak season for the animals to migrate and mate. The month accounted for more than 18 percent of deer-vehicle collisions, and they are three times as likely then as the period from the beginning of February through the end of August.
According to the data, November averages one deer-vehicle collision somewhere in the nation every five seconds. October and December were not as dangerous as November, but came closest. The dangers remain significant, particularly at the end of the calendar year, although researchers were unable to pin down a specific cause for the decrease in collisions.