Deer/Car Crashes Up in Rochester Hills

ROCHESTER HILLS, MI — October is just around the corner and, for Michigan drivers, so to are deer and vehicle crashes. While Rochester Hills recorded 176 deer/vehicle crashes last year, there were some 47,001 crashes in 2015, according to the Michigan Deer Crash Coalition.

October, November and December are the most likely times for deer/vehicle crashes, the organization says. With that in mind, city officials are considering increasing the number of changeable message boards in highly deer traveled areas, according to a C & G Newspaper report.

That may be a good idea, the coalition says. “All motorists should think deer whenever they are behind the wheel, and drive defensively, as if a deer can appear at any moment, because they can!”

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State Farm Director of Technology Research Chris Mullen agrees. He said there are particular times of day when drivers should be more alert for deer.

“We know there is an increased risk of collision with deer around dawn and dusk, and also during the October-December breeding season,” Mullen said in a news release from the Illinois-based insurance company. “However, 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.”

The number of Rochester Hills deer/vehicle crashes jumped by 26 last year. City officials wanted to get a fix on how big the herd of deer in Rochester Hills, but the lack of snow stopped tracking efforts, C & G Newspapers reported.

Parks Director Ken Elwert told the newspaper Rochester Hills is likely home to at least a few thousand deer. As many crashes as Rochester Hills and Michigan have each year, the state isn’t close to leading the country.

In 2015, State Farm reported that West Virginia, Montana, Pennsylvania Iowa and South Dakota were the states where motorists were most likely to file a claim for a deer/vehicle crash.

The insurance company list several tips and strategies to cut the risk of an accident:

• Slow down, particularly at dusk and dawn
• If you see one deer, be prepared for more deer to cross the road
• Pay attention to deer crossing signs
• Always buckle up, every trip, every time
• Use your high beamsto see farther, except when there is oncoming traffic
• Brake if you can, but avoid swerving, which could result in a more severe crash
• Remain focused on the road, scanning for hazards, including animals
• Avoid distractions, like devices or eating, which might cause you to miss seeing an animal
• Do not rely on products such as deer whistles, which are not proven effective
• If riding a motorcycle, always wear protective gear and keep focus on the road ahead

Photo by James Lee via Flickr Commons