Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 128 | DEER COLLISSION A V O I D I N G A DEER COLLISION During this time of year, deer are out in higher numbers which increases your risk of having a deer-vehicle collision. According to State Farm’s annual deer claim study, the likelihood of a driver encountering a possible deer or other large animal collision more than doubles during the months of October, November, and December. It is estimated that in the Mid-Atlantic region alone (PA, MD, DE, WV, and VA), there will be 257,876 deer-vehicle collisions this year. That is nearly one fourth of the total number of projected collisions nationwide occurring in our main operational territory. These numbers show that a deer-vehicle collision is a real possibility for our drivers, so we need to stay especially alert this time of year to prevent one from occurring. Sources: Cincinnati Insurance Companies; PA State Game Commission; State Farm Insurance Always Be Aware: • Deer are active and unpredictable. • The most likely times of day to encounter a deer is at dawn, dusk, and during the night. • Your vehicle headlights will not scare the deer away from the roadway – they may even cause deer to stop in their tracks in the road. How to Stay Safe: • Always wear your seatbelt. • Stay alert and be aware. • Be aware of signage that indicate “Deer Crossings.” • Always drive at a safe speed. • Should you see a deer, slow down or stop the vehicle. • Do not swerve your vehicle to avoid hitting the deer – this will cause more damage. • Research has shown that having a “deer whistle” on your vehicle does not deter deer Should You Hit a Deer: • Do not approach the deer. • Contact local emergency crews. • Notify law enforcement of the accident.