Deer-Vehicle Collisions

News Facts

Deer-vehicle collisions are an ongoing safety issue.

• According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, there are an estimated 1.5 million deer-vehicle collisions nationwide each year.
• These cause more than 150 fatalities and tens of thousands of injuries.
• They also cause more than a billion dollars in property damage.

Erie Insurance is the only insurance company using ten years’ worth of deer claims to perform an in-depth annual analysis of deer-vehicle collisions.  

• A decade of deer collision data provides a unique opportunity to pinpoint when and where such collisions occur. It also enables us to plot trends.
• Erie Insurance conducts an annual campaign to raise awareness on this issue and reduce collisions.
• Overall deer claim frequency has gone down over the past 10 years.
• In fact, 2007 had the second lowest number of deer claims since 1998.
• According to Erie Insurance data, deer claim frequency is highest in West Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

By creating awareness of the dangers and safety precautions, we can help drivers avoid accidents and stay safe.

Do the 10-point buck:  Erie Insurance, which now has tracked deer claims for a decade, suggests bucking the trend of deer-vehicle collisions through these ten tips.

• Stay alert, awake and sober.
• Always wear your seatbelt and drive at a safe, sensible speed for conditions.
• Do not rely on devices such as deer whistles, deer fences and reflectors to deter deer.
• Deliberately watch for deer - including the reflection of deer eyes and deer silhouettes on the shoulder of the road - particularly when driving late at night or early in the morning.
• Use high-beam headlights at night when there is no opposing traffic.
• If you encounter a deer, assume nothing, slow down and blow your horn to urge the deer to leave the road.
• If you see a deer in or near your path, brake firmly but stay in your lane.
• Never swerve your vehicle to avoid striking a deer - if a collision is imminent, hit it while maintaining full control of your vehicle.
• If you do strike a deer, and are uncertain whether or not the deer is dead, keep your distance.
• If the deer is blocking the roadway, contact the Game Commission or a local law enforcement agency.

Quotes

• “Drivers should always stay alert and keep their eyes on the road, and pay particular attention to the sides of the roadway watching for any signs of deer.  If you’re going 60 miles per hour, you can cover a lot of ground in just a few seconds – 30 yards per second or the length of a football field in the time it takes to change a CD or reach for your travel mug.” –Matt Myers, Claims division officer, Erie Insurance
•  “Deer claims are more likely to occur in the early morning or evening hours. In fact, 50 percent of deer claims occur between 5 p.m. and midnight, and another 20 percent of claims occur between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m.” –Darren Birtciel, rate analyst, Erie Insurance

Multimedia Resources

• Deer Safety Presentation
• State Maps with Collision Frequency by County (print-quality)
• B-roll Video with State-Specific Data
• Public Safety Announcements (Windows Media):
  • Deer Safety
  • Ohhhh Deer!

• Print
• Bookmark
• Link
• E-mail
• Share
• Blog