More Drivers Hitting Deer in Georgia As We Enter Peak Season

ATLANTA, GA — More drivers are hitting deer and other large animals on Georgia roadways. It's part of a national trend, with an increase in many states raising alarm as we enter the season when deer strikes are at their worst.

An estimated one in every 126 drivers in Georgia struck a large animal between July 2015 and June 2016 — that's an increase of 1.6 percent over the previous year. Overall, the U.S. saw a 3 percent increase in that same period.

These wrecks typically end with an animal carcass and heavy damage to the front of a vehicle. That damage costs a lot of money, and that's likely the reason insurance companies blitz the airwaves with warnings about deer strikes this time of year. The likelihood of colliding with a large animal more than doubles during the months of October, November and December, according to Chris Mullen, State Farm's director of technology research.

"Drivers should be engaged, alert and on the lookout at all times, because you never know when you may need to react to a deer or any other obstacle that may suddenly be in your path," Mullen said in a statement.

These wrecks can sometimes prove fatal for drivers and passengers in the vehicle as well. Deaths in the U.S. from animal strikes peaked at 223 in 2007 but have declined in recent years. There were 166 deaths in 2014, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

• State-by-State rankings on deer strikes

Georgia is ranked 19th in the nation in the total number of deer strikes in the State Farm study. West Virginia is ranked No. 1, South Carolina is ranked 12th and Florida is ranked 47th.

According to State Farm, the national average cost per claim for 2015-16 was $3,995, down just slightly from $4,135.

A 2015 report from the University of Georgia noted that deer are involved in nearly 14 percent of all accidents in the state. A study of deer strikes by the university led to the "Rut Map" that shows at which point in the season strikes are most likely, by county. Most of the Atlanta metro is found in the first half of November.

Here are five tips from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources:

• Unpredictable: Always remember deer are wildlife and therefore can be unpredictable. A deer calmly standing on the side of a road may bolt into or across the road rather than away from it when startled by a vehicle.
• One Deer Usually Means More: Take caution and slow down when a deer crosses. Deer generally travel in groups, so if one crosses, be prepared that others may follow.
• Time of Day: As deer are most active at dawn and dusk, they typically are seen roadside during the early morning and late evening – the same times most people are commuting to and from work.
• Time of Year: While deer-car collisions can occur any time of year, the fall breeding season is a peak time for such accidents. Road shoulders generally provide green food both during extremely dry times of the year and following a long, hard winter.
• Minimize Damage: If it is too late to avoid a collision, drivers are advised to slow down as much as possible to minimize damage – resist the urge to swerve to avoid the deer, this may cause further damage, sending drivers off the road or causing a collision with another vehicle. If an accident occurs, alert the police as soon as possible

Image via U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, public domain