Here Are The Odds Of Hitting A Deer In PA In 2024

PENNSYLVANIA — Spotting deer on Pennsylvania roads is nearly as common as spotting speed limit signs. That's true year-round, but particularly from mid-October through November when deer are increasingly active during their mating season.

So it's best to be on the lookout for the perky animals now, as Pennsylvania drivers have one of the best odds in the nation of having a collision with a deer.

An annual analysis by State Farm, the nation's largest vehicle insurer, pegs the nationwide odds at hitting an animal at 1 in 128. But in Pennsylvania, the odds are 1 in 61, the fourth-likeliest in the country. Only drivers in West Virginia (1 in 40), Montana (1 in 54) and Michigan (1 in 59) have a better chance of having an animal collision.

State Farm estimated that more than 1.8 million claims involving vehicle-animal collisions were filed across the insurance industry from July 2023 through June 2024. Deer again was the top animal struck, followed by rodents, dogs, raccoons and coyotes. Claims for rodents included chewed wires and other destruction.

Pennsylvania by far led the nation in the number of insurance claims filed for auto-animal collisions with more than 150,000. No other state was close. Michigan was second with 131,000, followed by North Carolina (98,000), Texas (92,500) and Ohio (82,500).

What do you if you strike a deer? In Pennsylvania, it's not legally required to report the collision to police. Motorists can report a dead deer for removal from state-maintained roads by calling 1-800-FIX-ROAD. Those with insurance questions can contact the Insurance Department Consumer Services Bureau online or at 1-877-881-6388.

How do you avoid striking a deer? State Farm offers these tips:

• Slow down, especially if you see an animal close to the road. Speed is the greatest safety factor in the magnitude if damage and physical injury.

• Stay alert. Scan the road for animals at any time of the day or night.

• Pay attention to “deer crossing” and other animal signs.

• Reduce distractions. Put the cell phone away.

• Brake as necessary. If you can avoid hitting the animal, reduce your speed, honk your horn and tap your brakes to warn other drivers.

• Don't swerve. If a crash with an animal is inevitable, maintain control of your vehicle and don't veer off the road.

• Use high beams. Flicking your high beams on wildlife may cause the animal to scurry away.

• Watch for animals on the road between dusk and dawn.

• Watch for herds. If you see one deer, there are probably more nearby.