But even though there have been fewer crashes, they are expensive. Drivers paid an average of $3,305 to repair damages caused by deer between July 1, 2011, and June 30, 2012, according to State Farm. That number rose 12 percent in four years, from $2,950 in 2007-08, the insurance company reported last week.
The new figures were released during a time when the threat of striking a deer increases significantly. More than half of these collisions come in the three-month period from October through December, according to AAA, which has asked drivers to use high beams when possible, avoiding swerving and scan the roadways to avoid costly accidents.
“Deer strikes are really pretty common,” said Cindy Antrican, a AAA spokesperson. “It’s rare in a conversation with five or more people that someone hasn’t tangled with a deer at some point.”
The threat increases in October, especially as temperatures cool and deer enter their mating season.
“This time of year they get into their breeding period, and more and more deer come into that cycle,” said Rick Jasper, assistant wildlife management supervisor for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife office that covers southwest Ohio.
“Plus they tend to move more as it gets colder. They seem to get invigorated when it gets cooler.”
Hunters killed 25,934 deer in the first 25 days of bow hunting season this year, which was a 39.4 percent increase from last year. Some area counties saw even larger increases, like in Miami County, where 92 percent more deer were harvested in the first 25 days compared with 2011. Montgomery County (85 percent) also saw a significant boost.
That doesn’t necessarily mean the deer population is greater and is increasing the threat of a crash, Jasper said. Regardless, officials are cautioning drivers to use tips that will decrease their chances of a crash.
“Deer are unpredictable,” said Lt. Anne Ralston, spokesperson for the Ohio State Highway Patrol. “You think they might continue running on the side of the road, and they can dart into the roadway.”
Dick Luedke, a State Farm spokesperson, said the company couldn’t speculate about why the cost of repairs is increasing. The company’s figures show that the estimated 1.23 million crashes involving deer nationally last year combined to cost more than $4 billion in damages. Ohio ranked No. 16 nationally in the number of crashes, with a 1-in-117.6 chance of crashing into a deer. West Virginia was No. 1 nationally (1-in-39.9 chance).
Officials suggested tactics like taking extra caution at dawn and dusk, staying in the same lane to avoid swerving and getting help from high beams when no driver is coming in the other direction. They also asked drivers to use extra caution after seeing a deer, even if it has already passed through the roadway.
“Usually the older deer goes first across the road, and the younger ones want to keep up, so they are rushing after,” Jasper said. “I would say now through January, keep deer in the back of your mind.”
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