Simple Tips to Avoid Deer Collisions

STAFF
Published: March 22, 2008

With the deer population increasing across the country, and living space for wildlife on the decline, the number of incidents involving a deer jumping into the path of a car has been steadily on the rise. This is especially true from October through December when male deer activity dramatically increases, resulting in a significant rise in the number of vehicular collisions.

A deer can literally come out of nowhere, leaving only seconds to react. Even worse, the collision can result in significant property damage and even life-threatening situations.

To stay safe, consider the following:

• Watch the clock. Deer are most active from sunset to midnight, and during the hours just before and after sunrise, which are feeding times.
• Watch your speed. It’s not just the speed of the animal that plays a factor—it’s the speed of the vehicle. Think about it: if you are driving your vehicle at a speed of over 60 miles per hour, you’ll cover the length of a football field in the same time it takes to change a CD.
• Keep your eyes open. Deer don’t run alone. If you see one, there are likely others nearby.
• Don’t swerve. If a deer is suddenly in front of you, sound your horn to frighten it away. Break firmly, but stay in your lane. Serious crashes happen when drivers swerve to avoid a deer, only to hit other vehicles or lose control of their cars.
• Wear your seatbelt. Most people injured in deer/car crashes were unbuckled at the time.

“Deer are bigger and heavier than people may think,” said Mike Convery, vice president and chief claim officer of MetLife Auto & Home. “Fortunately, by staying alert and reacting appropriately, it’s possible to avoid many collisions.”

For additional information on wildlife collisions, MetLife Auto & Home is offering to the public a free new brochure, “Deer Collisions: How to Avoid Becoming a Statistic.” The brochure provides useful information, including other tips on how to avoid a deer collision, and is available by calling 1-800-MET-LIFE (1-800-638-5433).