During Hunting Season, More Deer Equal More Auto Accidents

M. Brandon Smith

Attorney
(866) 735-1102 Ext 305

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With hunting season in full swing, motor vehicle accidents involving deer are on the rise in Georgia. According to State Farm's annual claim statistics, Georgia ranks fifth in the country for deer related accidents. With these alarming statistics, it is incumbent for drivers to be on the look out for deer on our state's highways. The end result for those who do amounts to lower premiums and fewer injuries and/or deaths on our roadways.

According to jcnews.com:

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, there are an estimated 1.5 million deer-vehicle collisions annually in the United States, causing more than 150 fatalities and $1.1 billion in property damage.

Recommended precautions drivers can take to help prevent accidents with deer include:
• Be aware of posted deer-crossing signs. These signs are placed in known active deer-crossing areas.
• Be aware that deer are most active during the evening, between 6 and 9 p.m.
• At night, use high-beam headlights as much as possible to illuminate the sides of the road where deer can linger.
• Be aware that deer often move in packs - if you see one deer, there is a good chance several more are just a few yards behind.
• Don't rely on car-mounted "deer whistles." Studies have shown deer are not affected by this deterrence method.
• If a collision with a deer seems inevitable, it may be best not to swerve. The risk of personal injury is greatly increased by swerving, which can place you in the path of oncoming vehicles or may cause you to lose control of your vehicle.