Oh Deer — One More Worry for Young Drivers

Bad weather, cell phones, mp3 players and passengers — all distractions that can make piloting a car through traffic a tricky task for a young driver. As if that's not enough, add one more potential danger to the list — deer.

Just when you think you have heard it all about what to watch out for when driving, be cautioned that deer collisions are yet another costly and life threatening danger on America's roadways.

According to claims information collected and analyzed by Erie Insurance, one in every 100 drivers nationally is likely to have a collision with a deer. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety estimates that deer-vehicle crashes rack up $1.1 billion in property damages, tens of thousands of injuries, and more than 200 deaths every year.

In ERIE's operating states for 2005, there were 10 deer claims for every 1000 vehicles the company insured.

The good news, however, is that Erie Insurance's latest report shows ERIE's deer claim frequency declined for the fourth straight year and now stands at its lowest level in seven years. But there is still plenty reason to remain cautious.

Drive defensively

Experts agree defensive driving is the best way to avoid crashes with animals.

“Keep your eyes on the road, doing a visual sweep for deer during October, November and December, when most deer collisions occur,” advises Jim Arciere, who heads ERIE's claims division.

“If you're going 60 mph, 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.”

Consider the following tips to help keep deer in the woods and off your windshield:

• Stay alert, awake and sober. Always wear your seatbelt and drive at a safe, sensible speed for conditions. Deliberately watch for deer, particularly when driving during peak collision times.
• Highest-risk periods are from sunset to midnight and the hours shortly before and after sunrise.
• When driving at night, use high-beam headlights when there is no opposing traffic. The high beams will illuminate the eyes of deer on or near a roadway. Watch for the reflection of deer eyes and for deer silhouettes on the shoulder of the road. High-beam headlights will not necessarily frighten a deer, so do not rely on the high beams to deter deer, but rather rely on the lights to better illuminate the animal.
• Do not rely exclusively on devices such as deer whistles, deer fences and reflectors to deter deer.
• Deer are often unpredictable, especially when faced with glaring headlights, blowing horns and fast-moving vehicles. Sometimes they stop in the middle of the road when crossing or cross quickly and come back. Sometimes they move toward an approaching vehicle. Assume nothing, slow down and blow your horn to urge the deer to leave the road. If the deer stays on the road, stop, put on your hazard lights and wait for the deer to leave the roadway; do not try to go around the deer while it is on the road.
• Deer frequently travel in groups and in single file. If you see one deer on or near the road, expect that others may follow.
• Brake firmly when you notice a deer in or near your path, but stay in your lane. Many serious crashes occur when drivers swerve to avoid a deer and hit another vehicle or lose control of their cars.
• If you do strike a deer, and are uncertain whether or not the deer is dead, then keep your distance, as this is an injured, wild animal with sharp hooves that can inflict injuries.

If the deer is blocking the roadway and poses a danger to other motorists, you should report the incident to the Game Commission or a local law enforcement agency.