November is the month with the highest number of vehicle-deer crashes in Wood County, followed by October and December which are second and third highest, according to Wood County Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn.
In 2017, the sheriff’s office handled 239 vehicle-deer crashes – with 53 of those being in November. To date this year, the office has handled 132 vehicle-deer crashes.
The numbers above are only the crashes handled by the Wood County Sheriff’s Office and do not include crashes handled by other law enforcement agencies in the county.
According to the Insurance Forum Institute, the average cost per insurance claim for collision damage is $2,800, with costs varying depending on the type of vehicle and severity of damage. The average rises to $10,000 when auto claims involving bodily injury are factored in.
The following defensive tips were offered to help avoid hitting a deer:
- Be especially attentive from sunset to midnight and during the hours shortly before and after sunrise. These are the highest risk times for vehicle-deer collisions.
- Drive with caution when moving through deer-crossing zones, in areas known to have a large deer population and in areas where roads divide agricultural fields from forestland. Deer seldom run alone. When you see one deer, others are very likely to be nearby.
- When driving at night, use high beam headlights when there is no oncoming traffic. The high beams will better illuminate the eyes of deer on or near the roadway.
- Brake firmly when you notice a deer in or near youth path, stay in your lane. Many serious crashes occur when drivers swerve to avoid deer and hit another vehicle or lose control of their vehicles and go into a ditch or hit poles or trees.
- Always wear your safety belt. Many people injured in car-deer crashes were not wearing their seat belts.
- Do not rely on devices such as deer whistles, deer fence and reflectors to deter deer. These devices have not been proven to reduce vehicle-deer collisions.
If your vehicle strikes a deer, do not touch the animal. A frightened and wounded deer can hurt you. The best procedure, if possible, is to get your vehicle off the road and call 911.
Contact your insurance agent or company representative to report any damage to your vehicle. Collision with an animal is covered under the comprehensive portion of your auto insurance policy and does not go against your driving record.