Wood County Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn is reminding drivers that November is the month with the highest number of vehicle/deer crashes in Wood County. October and December are the next two highest months.
Following is a tally of the crashes handled by the Wood County Sheriff’s Office:
- 275 vehicle/deer crashes in 2023.
- 40 vehicle/deer crashes in October 2023.
- 62 vehicle/deer crashes in November 2023.
- 176 vehicle/deer crashes so far in 2024.
The numbers above are only the crashes handled by the sheriff’s office and do not include crashes handled by other law enforcement agencies in the county.
According to the Ohio Department of Insurance the average cost per insurance claim for car/deer collision damage is nearly $5,000, with costs varying depending on the type of vehicle and severity of damage. Claims involving injury can rise to $10,000 or more.
Defensive driving tips to avoid hitting a deer include:
- 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 your path, stay in your lane. Many serious crashes occur when drivers swerve to avoid a 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 fences 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 9-1-1.
Contact your insurance agent or company representative to report any damage to your car. Collision with an animal is covered under the comprehensive portion of your auto insurance policy and does not go against your driving record.
