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Naperville
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Deer in headlights can create costly collisions in the Midwest

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Last Wednesday evening a vehicle collision with a deer hit a little too close to home, validating the fact that nearly half of vehicle accidents involving white-tail deer occur just after dusk from October to December.

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Fortunately, when a deer stretched over the hood of this vehicle, the only major damage was to the headlight.

More specifically, according to State Farm, the combination that mixes mating season with hunting season makes November the month with the most deer-vehicle collisions. The good news is reports of deer-vehicle collisions are down in Illinois, thanks to awareness that comes with stories such as this one intended to alert drivers to watch out.

“It was the largest deer I’ve ever seen,” said Don Crookston, stunned as he recounted the incident as it happened near his Indiana home about 5:30PM.

While he headed toward home at dusk, Crookston said he found himself looking at the underbelly of the animal through his windshield when the deer suddenly stretched over the hood of his car, giving him pause to count his blessings. Its hoofs knocked out the right headlight and remnants of hair remained on the side of his car.

Considering the limited damage and what could have been a horrific outcome for the number of vehicles along the busy roadway, Crookston said the high-jumping deer gave the phrase “deer in headlights” new meaning.

Crookston’s story was reminiscent of many, including an earlier encounter by Ashley Penick as she drove west on Aurora Avenue near Meson Sabika several years ago.  As a deer raced alongside her driver’s side trying to cross into the open field, the animal knocked off the rear view mirror on her vehicle.

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The morning after the collision, Don Crookston pointed to deer hair that left a trail of the damage.

The two different deer-vehicle collisions had happy outcomes, unlike many encounters that end in fatalities.

In 2001-11, collisions with animals resulted in more than 2,000 fatal crashes nationwide, according to AAA’s examination of data from the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System.

And while deer collisions tend to get the most attention, smaller animals such as skunks, squirrels, raccoons, coyotes and dogs also cause drivers to swerve and crash. Local residents don’t need an expert to know that in Naperville, skunks seem to permeate the outdoors more than usual this year.

Drivers! Pay attention as the days get shorter

Pay attention while behind the wheel is the best advice to drivers to prevent collisions with deer.

If a deer runs in front of you, consider the following driving tips offered by the Insurance Information Institute.

  • Be aware that deer tend to travel in groups—if you see one, several others likely are near;
  • Deer are most active in the evening from dusk to 9PM;
  • Deer  can be highly unpredictable, especially when caught in headlights, exposed to loud noises like horns or confused by fast-moving traffic. The institute advises drivers not to depend on ineffective car-mounted deer whistles or other devices that come with big advertised promises.

Mindful of a recent study of fatal crashes resulting from animals, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that 60 percent of the people who died were not wearing safety belts. So remember to buckle up, too. In Illinois, remember “Click it or ticket.”  Stay alert to the scene by putting the cell phone away to avoid temptations of texting while driving.

According to a report by State Farm. the nation has experienced a 3.5 percent drop in deer collisions nationwide, falling to 1.22 million, for the one-year period ending on June 30, 2013. Apparently, the odds of a driver striking a deer declined by 4.3 percent from the period a year earlier.

However, State Farm reports that while the number of collisions is decreasing, the average deer-collision damage claim in that period had risen 3.3 percent, to $3,414.

No matter what country road, city street or state highway is traveled across the nation — especially from sunset to sunrise — drivers are urged to be on the look out for deer and other wild animals. And be especially alert wherever a “Deer Crossing” sign marks an area.  Drive safely.

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PN Editor
PN Editor
An editor is someone who prepares content for publishing. It entered English, the American Language, via French. Its modern sense for newspapers has been around since about 1800.

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