More Than One-Third Of Animal Collisions Occur In Autumn
More than one third (36 percent) of all auto claims that involve animal collisions on U.S. highways occur between the months of September and November, according to PRNewsWire.
The spike is in part due to animal migration patterns, particularly of larger animals like deer and elk. In particular, there is a 67% increase in animal collisions during these three months as opposed to the three months prior (July through August).
Preventing A Serious Motor Vehicle Accident Involving Animals
What the data shows is that drivers that use the American highway system in the fall should be alert not only for other vehicles but also for four-legged animals that could be crossing or running across the lanes. An adult male deer usually weighs around 300 pounds, and an impact can cause significant damage to a driver and any passengers in the vehicle.
Farmer’s Insurance, which released the data on animal-caused auto collisions, recommends taking the following steps to minimize distractions while driving:
- Set your radio and GPS prior to embarking on a trip, and make sure your cell-phone is either adequately stowed or set to “silent” or “do not disturb” mode.
- If you can, drive during the daylight. Animal migration is most prevalent during dawn and dusk hours, which can make it even more difficult to spot them in time.
- Keep an eye on your speed. Going too fast can mean you have less time to react to a possible deer crossing or another animal-related danger.
- If you hit an animal, pull over and call the police. Certain states have different guidelines regarding what to do after an animal collision, so make sure if you’re engaging in a multi-state trip that you have a decent idea of what the expectations are, particularly if you’re traveling through areas that are populated with deer and elk.