More Virginia Drivers Hitting Deer, Among Worst States in Nation

RICHMOND, VA — More drivers are hitting deer and other large animals on Virginia roadways. It's part of a national trend, but not one that state officials are taking lightly, with several programs studying deer and driver behavior to avoid accidents, injuries and deaths.

An estimated 1 in every 94 drivers in Virginia struck a large animal between July 2015 and June 2016 — that's an increase of 3.2 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 a vehicle. That damage costs a lot of money — 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 sometime prove fatal for drivers and passengers in the vehicle as well. U.S. Deaths 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.

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

• State-by-State rankings on deer strikes

Virginia is ranked 13th in the nation in the total number of deer strikes in the State Farm study. West Virginia is ranked No. 1, Maryland is ranked No. 25 and Washington, D.C., is ranked 46, but saw a stunning 50 percent increase in deer strikes compared to the 12 months prior to the study period.

Virginia has launched studies on deer behavior around roadways and preventive measures.

The Virginia Transportation Research Council estimates that fencing to redirect deer and driver warning systems in high-strike areas could save more than $500,000 in costs associated with deer-vehicle collisions over the 25-year life of the fencing.

For drivers this time of year, here are 5 tips from the State of Virginia:

1. When driving, particularly at night (from dusk to dawn) slow down and be attentive. If you see one deer, likely there will be others. If one deer crosses the road as you approach, others may follow.
2. Deer habitually travel the same areas; therefore deer crossing signs have been installed by the Virginia Department of Transportation. Use caution when you see these signs.
3. Drivers should apply brakes, even stop if necessary, to avoid hitting a deer, but should never swerve out of the lane to miss a deer. A collision with another vehicle, tree or other object is likely to be more serious than hitting a deer.
4. Rely on your caution and your own senses, not deer whistles you can buy for your car. These devices have not been shown to be effective.
5. Any person involved in a collision with a deer or bear while driving a motor vehicle, thereby killing the animal, should immediately report the accident to a Conservation Police Officer or other law enforcement officer in the county or city where the accident occurred.

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