Did you know Iowa ranked third for deer-related auto collisions in 2012? Drivers in that state had a 1 in 73 chance of hitting a deer according to State Farm and U.S. Federal Highway Administration. Their data also showed that November, the heart of deer hunting and mating season, is the month during which deer-vehicle collisions are most likely. October is the second most likely month for a crash involving a deer and a vehicle and December is third.
The average property damage cost of these incidents during the final half of 2012 and the first half of 2013 was $3,414.00, up 3.3% from the year before.
Tips:
- Deer are most active between 6 and 9pm and they generally travel in herds. If you see one, others are probably nearby.
- Be aware of posted deer crossing signs and use high beam headlamps as much as possible at night to illuminate the areas where deer may enter roadways.
- To help spot deer at night, scan the sides of the road looking for their reflective eyes. They are usually visible from a great distance and probably the only visible part of the deer until it’s directly in your path.
View our infographic about deer-vehicle collisions.
