Crescent-News.com - Don't get caught in a rut: Watch for deer

By JARED ORZOLEK

orzolek@crescent-news.com

Car collisions with deer in northwest Ohio reached their highest number in three years last year, according to a study released Monday by the Ohio Insurance Institute (OII).

The study, conducted by Erie Insurance, indicates there were 1,765 reported car/deer crashes in Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Williams, Paulding and Putnam counties last year.

In 2006, the number was 1,642 and in 2005 the crashes totaled 1,426.

Statewide, deer-vehicle crashes decreased 6.9 percent in 2007 to 26,300, but officials stress that the risk of such collisions needs to be emphasized during the upcoming deer breeding season.

"More than anything, when harvest season and rut season comes up, you need to be more conscious and aware that deer are out there," said Henry County Sheriff John Nye.

"It's the time of the year when you need to be more observant and more aware."

According to the OII, most deer-vehicle collisions occur between October and January during deer breeding season. Last November there were 5,850 collisions -- the highest number for any month.

Peak hours for these incidents occurred between 5 p.m.-1 a.m. followed by 5 a.m.-8 a.m. In 2007, 54 percent of these crashes occurred between 5 p.m.-1 a.m. while 23 percent occurred in the early morning between 5 a.m.-8 a.m.

Nye said there are times when a motorist can do little to avoid a collision with a deer, which sometimes dart directly into the path of a vehicle, or into the side of car.

"The last thing you want to do is lose control of your vehicle," Nye said, explaining that swerving to avoid a deer can cause the vehicle to veer into a ditch.

"For motorcycle riders, you need to be very careful and even slow down. You might not want to be on the roads after dark."

According to the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) there were 11 fatalities and 1,166 people injured in car/deer crashes last year.

These numbers are down from the previous year. However, many deer-vehicle collisions go unreported to authorities, so the actual number of crashes in Ohio may be as high as 60,000 crashes each year.

Ohio has eight million drivers, 121,000 miles of roadway and 600,000 deer.

ODOT advises motorists to use these driving tips to help avoid a collision with a deer:

-- watch for deer-crossing signs and drive with extreme caution especially in areas where those signs are posted.

-- if you see a deer near the road, expect other deer will follow.

-- the times when deer are most likely to be on the road are dawn when 20 percent of crashes occur and between 5 p.m.-midnight when 50 percent of the collisions occur.

-- after dark, use high-beams when there isn't oncoming traffic. This will illuminate deer eyes, allowing more time for the driver to react.

-- always wear safety belts, and drive at safe, sensible speeds for road conditions.

Deer make up the bulk of the 530,000 animal-related auto accidents reported in the United States annually, OII reports.

Vehicle damage due to deer accidents varies dramatically depending on the type of vehicle, its speed upon impact and what area of the vehicle is hit. Vehicle damage from deer collisions averages about $3,000 per claim nationally. The OII estimates Ohio auto damages approached $78.9 million in 2007.