In Ohio, the number of deer-vehicle collisions increases around this time every year, according to AAA East Central.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol found that 47% of deer-related crashes occurred during the months of October, November and December.
“More collisions between vehicles and deer occur now than any other time of the year,” said Jonathon King, vice president of insurance sales, AAA East Central. “One of our top claims as winter approaches is for vehicles that have been totaled from hitting animals, and the costs can be staggering.”
Since 2017, there have been 101,912 deer-related crashes in Ohio, according to data from the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
What time of day are deer most active?
Dawn and dusk hours are the most likely times for deer-related crashes; they’re most active from 5-8 a.m. and 5-8 p.m.
Ohio State Highway Patrol data shows I-71 , SR-2, US-30, US-33, and I-75 are the worst routes for deer-related crashes since 2017.
Experts at AAA recommend if you see a deer, slow down and watch for other deer to appear. They rarely travel alone, so if there is one, more are likely nearby.
5 things you should do if you hit a deer
AAA said if the crash is imminent, drivers should take their foot off the brake.
During hard braking, the front end of a vehicle goes downward. In this case, the deer could travel up over the hood towards the windshield.
If drivers let off the brake, the deer is more likely to be pushed to one side of or over the top of the car instead of into the windshield.
Here’s what you should do if you hit a deer:
- Call the police.
- Avoid making contact with the animal. A frightened or wounded animal can hurt people or further injure itself.
- Put the vehicle’s hazard lights on.
- If possible, immediately move the vehicle out of the roadway and wait for help to arrive in a safe location.
- Contact the insurance agent or company representative to report any damage.
Does car insurance cover deer collisions?
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the average claim for animal collisions in 2020 was $4,262.
In 2023, AAA Insurance reported the average deer-related claim is $5,600.
AAA recommends getting comprehensive coverage with your insurance provider.
“While adding comprehensive coverage may add a small amount to your premium, it could save you money down the road,” said King.
CONNECT WITH US
WEB SITE ► https://www.mahoningmatters.com
DAILY NEWS EMAIL ► https://www.mahoningmatters.com/customer-service/newsletter-signup/
FACEBOOK ► https://www.facebook.com/mahoningmatters
TWITTER ► https://twitter.com/mahoningmatters
YOUTUBE ► https://www.youtube.com/@mahoningmatters2814
INSTAGRAM ► https://www.instagram.com/mahoningmatters
SUPPORT US ► https://givebutter.com/vNfzEW
This story was originally published October 16, 2023 at 1:54 PM