Author: Sabrina DeVall

City of Anywhere WV ● 123 Grand Street ● PO Box 16 ● Any City, WV 12345 Phone: 304-111-2222 ● Fax: 304-111-3333 ● Website: www.

Road Facts

Sharing the Road with Deer

According to State Farm, for the sixth year in a row, West Virginia is the most likely state for a driver to hit a deer, with drivers in West Virginia having a 1 and 40 chance of hitting a deer over the next 12 months. November, which is hunting and mating season, is the most likely month that a motorist will hit a deer, with October and December being the second and third most likely months. State Farm Insurance reports that the average damage cost of deer-related collisions during the last half of 2011 and the first half of 2012 was $3,305.
The Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) has published the following information that can help reduce your chances of being involved in a deer-related collision. The WV LTAP staff has compiled this information directly from the I.I.I. in the list below; we urge you to read through this information to help save vehicles, occupants, and deer.
Deer are not just found on rural roads near wooded areas; many deer crashes occur on busy highways near cities.
Deer are unpredictable, especially when faced with glaring headlights, blowing horns and fast-moving vehicles. They often dart into traffic.
Deer often move in groups. If you see one, there are likely to be more in the vicinity.
Drive with caution when moving through deer-related crossing zones, in areas known to have a large deer population and in areas where roads divide agricultural fields from forestland.
Always wear your seatbelt. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that in a study of fatal animal crashes, 60 percent of people killed were not wearing a seatbelt. Sixty-five percent of people killed in animal related crashes while riding motorcycles were not wearing a helmet.
When driving at night, use high beam headlights when there is no oncoming traffic. The high beams will better illuminate the eyes of any deer on or near the roadway.
Be especially attentive from sunset to midnight and during the hours shortly before or after sunrise. These are the highest risk times for deer-vehicle collisions.
Brake firmly when you notice a deer in or near your path, but stay in your lane. Many serious crashes occur when drivers swerve to avoid a deer and hit another vehicle or lose control of their cars.
Do not rely on devices such as deer whistles, deer fences and reflectors to deter deer. These devices have not proven effective.
In the event you hit a deer with your vehicle, the I.I.I. suggests:
...Try to avoid going near or touching the animal. A frightened and wounded deer can hurt you or further injure itself.
If the deer is blocking the roadway and poses a danger to other motorists, you should call the police immediately.

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Created November 25, 2013 by the WV Local Technical Assistance Program · http://wvltap.wvu.edu PO Box 6103 · Morgantown, WV 26506 · Phone: 304-293-9924