Here Are The Odds Of Hitting A Deer In Rhode Island In 2024

RHODE ISLAND — Spotting deer on Rhode Island roads is common year-round, but particularly from mid-October through November, when frisky deer are more active during their mating season.

State Farm, the largest auto insurer in the country, said industry-wide casualty claims data puts the odds of hitting a deer or other animal at 1-in-75 in Rhode Island, ranking the state 10th for the risk of a collision involving an animal.

The annual analysis by State Farm pegs the nationwide odds at hitting an animal at 1 in 128. Drivers in West Virginia (1 in 40), Montana (1 in 54), Michigan (1 in 59), Pennsylvania, (1 in 61) and Wisconsin (1 in 63) are the top five states with the highest risk 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 were the top animal struck, followed by rodents, dogs, raccoons and coyotes.

While most deer strikes do not involve serious injury, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, in the 10-year period from 2012-2021, almost 2,000 people were killed in crashes involving deer, including 14 in Maryland and 35 in Virginia, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic.

Here are some tips from AAA and State Farm to avoid a collision:

• Slow down, especially if you see an animal close to the road
• Stay alert and scan the road for animals at any time of the day or night
• Pay attention to “deer crossing” and other animal signs
• Reduce distractions, including putting your cellphone out of sight
• Brake as necessary to 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 and note, too, that flicking your high beams on wildlife may cause the animal to scurry away
• Remember that deer travel in herds and if you see one, there are probably more nearby
• Stay alert. Pay attention to "deer crossing" and "wildlife crossing" signs, and be cautious in areas near woods or water.
• Use high beams. Flicking your high beams on an animal in the road may cause the animal to scurry away. High beams also help illuminate dark roads.
• Remember mealtime. Watch for animals in the road between dusk and dawn.
• Wear seat belts. Always obey speed limits and wear seat belts.

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