Deer crashes down this year
Safety during season crucialBy Brad Bauer, bbauer@mariettatimes.com
Fact Box
Driving tips for motorists
Drive with extreme caution, at or below the posted speed limit, especially in areas with deer-crossing signs.
Most crashes occur in the months of October through January, followed by May. Highest-risk periods are from sunset to midnight, followed by the hours shortly before and after sunrise.
If you see one deer on or near a roadway, expect that others may follow. Slow down and be alert.
After dark, use high beams when there is no opposing traffic. The high beams will illuminate the eyes of deer on or near a roadway and provide greater motorist reaction time. Don't rely solely on high beams to deter collisions.
Always wear a seat belt as required by state law and drive at a safe, sensible speed for conditions.
Don't swerve your vehicle to avoid striking a deer. If a collision with a deer seems probable then hit it while maintaining full control of your vehicle. The alternative could be even worse.
Stay alert. Deer are always unpredictable. They often dart out into traffic on busy highways in metropolitan areas.
Report any deer-vehicle collisions to a local law enforcement agency or a state wildlife officer within 24 hours.
Source: Ohio Insurance Institute.
Deer crashes are down 30 percent in Washington County over the past three years, but don't mention that to Kelly Sayre, who had the misfortune of clipping a buck with her Toyota over the weekend.
"I kinda thought it would just be a matter of time (before I hit one)," said Sayre, 33, of Marietta. "I've had a lot of close calls. One finally got me."
Sayre said the damage to her car was pretty minimal. The animal ran off, seemingly uninjured, she said.
"I was on my way to my mom's house in Reno and he just ran right out in front of me," she said. "I slammed on my brakes, but it was too late."
The collision cracked a headlight and put a small dent in a fender.
"It could have been worse," Sayre said.
Deer crashes in Washington County have decreased from 286 in 2005 to 200 last year. Totals for this year to date were not immediately available. Most deer crashes are generally reported in November, when the animals are looking to mate and on the move.
This year's deer crashes could be higher because the deer herd appears to have grown. State wildlife officials estimate Ohio's current deer population at 700,000, up from its 2007 herd estimate of 675,000. Ohio deer densities tend to be heavier in the east-central and southeast parts of the state.
Many, but certainly not all, deer crashes are avoidable, said Ohio Highway Patrol Sgt. Todd McDonald.
"A lot of them could be avoided by just slowing down and being a little more alert," McDonald said. "The biggest problem is when people swerve to avoid striking a deer they often lose control and end up making matters worse."
McDonald said deer crashes are most common during around sunrise and sunset, when the animals seem to be most active and traffic is usually busy.
According to a study by the Ohio Insurance Institute, about 1 in 115 Ohio residents will have a crash involving a deer each year. The average damage from a deer crash is about $3,000.
Damages in Ohio last year from deer crashes were approximately $79 million, from 26,304 deer-vehicle collisions, according to the Ohio Insurance Institute.
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Parrothead
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11-17-08 10:37 PM
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After you blast the stupid deer with your truck I bet the “Road Kill” law in West Virginia comes in handy doesn’t it WVCountryBoy. Nothin’ better than a dinner made from road kill.
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Whitetop1
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11-17-08 10:36 PM
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I likes to make deer tacos and deer sloppy joes
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telefonica
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11-17-08 1:17 PM
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Deer crashes are down for a pretty simple reason. As gas prices went up, people drove less. Actually 4.3% less which is the equivilant to 11 billion fewer miles. The biggest drop since 1942. So in reality, maybe there are less deer crashes because there are less vehicles on the road. Something to think about.
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Roscoe2005
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11-17-08 12:42 PM
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To add to that, their food sources are changing all the time, especially this time of year.
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Harleyrider
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11-17-08 12:36 PM
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OMG, I can't believe I am going to even type this. Mark it down people, on this day I have to say Parrothead the apostle is right. lol
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Parrothead
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11-17-08 10:40 AM
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Peppie – this time of year the deer would be stirred up and running crazy even if there were NO hunters. It’s called the RUTT and it is the breeding season for the deer. Imagine what humans would be like if they could only have sex during a 4 – 6 week period every fall ! When compared to what that would be like the deer are handling themselves pretty well I think.
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Bittersweet
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11-17-08 10:24 AM
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newsnut....yes in deed having those highly trained sheriff guys on the road driving with your high beams on is not necessary while driving at night. and those deer know that when those sheriff guys are on the road they will be safer. :)
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peppie
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11-17-08 10:10 AM
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This time of the year, the deer are stirred up with hunters and on the move more. I hate driving at dusk and dawn because they seem to be out more at those times. Between Boaz and Williamstown there are alot of deer along the road.
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newsnut
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11-17-08 9:59 AM
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with all the highly trained sheriff they have I won't run with my high beams on
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Bittersweet
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11-17-08 9:58 AM
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lol I seen 5 deer yesterday.
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Myownopinion
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11-17-08 9:23 AM
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I almost hit 4 deer on County Road 20 Friday night. I was sure I was going to hit one of them, but luckily I got stopped in time. I have seen alot of deer this year along the roads.
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