Erie Insurance this weeksaid deer-vehicle collisions cause more than 200 deaths and tens of thousands of injuries, while rackingup $1.1 billion in property damages in its service territories. Based upon Erie Insurance's decade ofdeer-vehicle collision data, it estimates about one in every 100drivers is likely to have a collision with a deer.

However, by being awareof the risks and following precautionary measures, drivers can reduce theirlikelihood of colliding with a deer.

"Erie Insurance is the only insurance company using ten years' worth ofdeer claims to perform an in-depth annual analysis of deer-vehiclecollisions," says Darrin Birtciel, rate analyst. "This helps us pinpoint when and where such collisions occur as well as plot trends."

This year's analysis revealed: Overall deer claim frequency has gone down over the past 10 years. In fact, 2007 had the second lowest number of deer claims since 1998. Deer claim frequency is highest in West Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Here in Pennsylvania, deer-vehicle collisions decreased slightly lastyear. However, it's still one of the top Erie Insurance states for deerclaims.

Two of the most dangerous days to drive in Pennsylvania - in terms ofdeer - are Monday, December 1 and Saturday, December 6, the opening day andopening Saturday of hunting season. If you live in Potter County, you'remore than three times as likely to hit a deer; and in Sullivan County,you're more than four times as likely to hit a deer.

What's it like to hit a deer? Here's what Daniel of Bloomsburg had tosay:

"It was November and my wife and I had been at a fund-raising event inanother town. On the way home we stopped by our mechanic's garage to pickup our other car that had been repaired. My wife was following me home inthat car. It was midnight, and I remember thinking how there was verylittle traffic.

"Then, in a split second, my car shook and deer antlers came throughthe windshield. A buck had hit my driver's side mirror. I was in a slightstate of shock as I pulled over to the side of the road with glass in mymouth and eyes. My wife came up to the side of the car and asked if I wasokay. I was just shocked. I could not open the car door, but fortunately wewere only 3/4 of a mile from home. The damage was about $4,500 to our 1998Subaru Outback."

"By creating awareness of the dangers and safety precautions, we canhelp drivers avoid accidents and stay safe," adds Birtciel.

For more information, visitErie Insurance's Deer-Vehicle Collision webpageand see a map ofdeer-vehicle claim frequency by county in Pennsylvania.

9/26/2008