Erie Insurance this week issued a warning that November 3 to 14 is most dangerous time for deer-vehicle collisions.

Based upon claims information collected and analyzed by Erie Insurance since 1999, about one in every 100 drivers is likely to have a collision with a deer -- and the first two weeks in November have more claims than any other two-week period during the year. In fact, in 2006 seven of the top 10 deer claims took place between November 3 and 14.

For the past seven years Erie Insurance has launched an aggressive awareness and education campaign among our policyholders and the general public, offering a variety of recommendation on how to avoid collisions with deer.

By being aware of the risks and following precautionary measures, drivers can reduce their likelihood of colliding with a deer.

Know the facts:

· Deer aren't just found on rural roads near wooded areas; many deer crashes occur on busy highways near cities;

· Highest-risk periods are from sunset to midnight and the hours shortly before and after sunrise; and

· Deer are unpredictable and often dart into traffic.

Be cautious:

· Stay awake, alert and sober, and always wear your seatbelt;

· Drive at a safe, sensible speed for conditions;

· Increase the distance between yourself and the vehicle in front of you, especially in wooded areas;

· Be extra alert in areas where deer commonly cross roads and where roads divide fields from forests; and

· When driving at night, use high-beam headlights -- which illuminate deer eyes -- when there is no opposing traffic.

When deer are near, be careful:

· Slow down and blow your horn to urge the deer to leave the road -- never rely on devices such as deer whistles, deer fences, and reflectors to deter deer;

· Keep an eye out for other deer, as they frequently travel single-file in groups;

· If the deer stays on the road, stop, put on your hazard lights and wait for the deer to leave the roadway; and

· Never try to drive around a deer while it's on the road or swerve your vehicle to avoid striking a deer.

"Always keep your eyes on the road, doing a visual sweep for deer," advises Darrin Birtciel, Erie Insurance rate analyst. "If you're going 60 mph, you can cover a lot of ground in just a few seconds -- 30 yards per second or the length of a football field in the time it takes to change a CD or reach for your travel mug."

If you do collide with a deer, keep your distance to avoid injuries. If the deer is blocking the roadway, contact the Game Commission or a local law enforcement agency.

For more information, visit Erie Insurance Deer-Vehicle Collision webpage.

Link: PA Again Leads U.S. in Deer-Car Collisions, Over 98,000

11/2/2007