The time of the year again: peak car-deer collision season. More than half of all deer vehicle accidents occur each year in October to December, with November being the peak months. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), more than 150 deaths each year are caused by collisions between vehicles and deer. Deer are fast, unpredictable and may appear in the blue.
But deer are not the only danger fours - moose and elk are serious risks of the road, too. Bigger, taller and with more body mass than deer, a bull moose can reach up to 1500 pounds. And because they are tall with long legs, they often come right through the windshield when hit, a serious risk to car occupants. See this comparison mammmal illustration size to get an idea of how big moose, elk, deer and other wild animals can be.
IIHS released a picture of death accidents with animals, followed in 1975 . They note that many of these deaths could have been avoided:
"Most road deaths occurred after a motor vehicle had hit an animal, then run off the road or a motorcyclist fell to 'A bike. Many of these deaths would not have occurred with proper protection. The study found that 60 percent of those killed riding in vehicles were not using seat belts, and 65 percent of those killed riding on motorcycles were not wearing helmets. "
Here are some resources to help you assess the relative risk of your state regarding the large animals of the deer family:
-Moose populations in some states
-Elk population by state
driving tips to avoid collision with deer and moose
- Wear your seat belt
- Be especially alert at dawn, at dusk. the most collisions occur between 5 and 10 hours
- If you see one deer, there may be others. - Travel deer in herds
- Heed posted panels warning wildlife - they are there for a reason
- Avoid speeding. Slow down around the curves
- Scan the sides of the road -. Monitor the movement
- Be especially careful on the roads with woods, farmland and water
- Be careful and slow night. You can see the deer's eyes reflected in your lights, but the moose eyes do not reflect light.
- Watch other traffic - if you see the cars stopped or slow down, it may indicate an animal
- Flash lights to warn other drivers
- Do not try to exceed Crossing or beat an animal
- Use lights when you can
- If you see an animal horn. Your lights may confuse or freeze an animal.
- Motorcycles are particularly vulnerable - a cyclist can even be loaded by a large animal
What if you hit a deer or moose
stop your car, turn on the hazard lights. You want to be visible so that no other car hit you, your car, or animal. Avoid approaching a wounded animal, which can be very dangerous. In some states, if there are no injuries and your car is drivable, you would not be required to report the collision to the police. If you are unsure of the law of the state, call the police. They alert the rangers or the competent authorities to treat the animal. Some states allow you to keep an animal for meat, but you may need a permit. Report the accident to your insurance agent as soon as possible.
Drivers should be aware that not all car insurance cover deer or moose collisions. Full insurance is required to pay for damage from an animal collision. Some people only have a collision coverage and are not exhaustive.
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