October 05, 2011
By: Bruce Berry
The number of collisions between motorists and deer has diminished for a third consecutive year, a new report confirms.
The poll, conducted by auto insurance provider State Farm found that between July 2010 and June 2011 there were fewer than 1.1 million vehicle-deer accidents, a decline of 7 percent compared to the same time period the previous year and 9 percent compared to three years ago.
"Calling attention to potential hazards like this one is part of our DNA," said Laurette Stiles, vice president of strategic resources for State Farm. "While we can't put our finger directly on what's causing a decline in deer-vehicle collisions, we'd like to think media attention to our annual report on this subject has had at least a little bit to do with it."
For a fifth consecutive year, the state where drivers were most likely to strike a deer was West Virginia. Hawaii motorists were the least likely.
In order to avoid an accident, the firm reminds motorists that deer are most active between 6 and 9 p.m. and that drivers should use their high beams as much as possible, especially when traveling on back roads.
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