Wisconsin Drivers Have Higher Risk Of Hitting Deer

WISCONSIN — Your chances of hitting a deer or other animal while driving on a U.S. road jumped by more than 7 percent in the last year, State Farm found in its 19th annual animal collision study released this week.

Motorists collided with animals an estimated 2.1 million times between July 2020 and June 2021, according to the analysis. Crashes happened in every state and peaked in October, November and December.

Historically, November is the most dangerous month for deer and other animal collisions, according to State Farm.

Where you live also plays an important role in how likely you are to drive your car into a deer or other animal.

In the 12 months examined by State Farm, Wisconsin motorists had a 1 in 56 chance of colliding with an animal. Drivers are more likely to hit an animal when driving in Wisconsin, according to State Farm data.

State rankings are determined by taking the number of licensed drivers in a state and comparing it to the total number of animal collisions there, according to State Farm.

The company also ranked states based on the number of collisions involving animals where an insurance claim was filed.

The state with the highest number of insurance claims was Pennsylvania, where motorists filed an estimated 166,404 auto insurance claims involving collisions with animals. Michigan came in second, followed by Texas and California, where the number of claims spiked by 65 percent from July 2020 to June 2021. Rounding out the top five was North Dakota.

When considering the likelihood of hitting a deer or other animal, West Virginia took the top spot with a 1 in 37 chance, followed by Montana, where the chances of hitting an animal were 1 in 39, a 17 percent increase from the previous. South Dakota was third with a 1 in 48 chance, followed by Michigan and Pennsylvania, which both had a 1 in 54 chance.

Compare that to the District of Columbia, where it is estimated fewer than 1,000 animal collisions took place during the recent 12-month period analyzed for the study. In the District, drivers have a 1 in 569 chance of hitting an animal.

Which animals are we hitting? Deer are reported most frequently — an estimated 1.4 million collisions were with deer, according to State Farm. Next on the list are more than 189,000 collisions with “unidentified animals,” followed by rodents, dogs and raccoons.

While not in the top five, State Farm said, the range of other animals involved in collisions is “extremely diverse.” The company’s claims database includes reports of chickens, alligators, bats, cows, pigs, armadillos, bears, donkeys, eagles, horses, coyotes, owls and cats.

State Farm also offered tips to avoid hitting deer, although those steps aren't anything you shouldn't already be taking.

• 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 beams to see farther, except when there is oncoming traffic.
• Brake if you can, but avoid swerving, which can result in a more severe crash.
• Remain focused on the road. Scan for potential dangers, including animals.
• Avoid distractions. Devices or eating might cause you to miss seeing an animal.
• Do not rely on products such as deer whistles. They are not proven effective.
• If riding a motorcycle, always wear protective gear. Keep focused on the road ahead.