R&R Insurance Blog

As fall creeps in, the risk of a deer-vehicle accidents greatly increases. Deer-vehicle collisions are actually three times more likely to occur on a day in November than they are on any day between February 1 and August 31.

Travelers recently provided these valuable driving tips to help you avoid hitting a large animal and to limit or avoid damage to your vehicle:

• Deer collisions typically happen from sunset to midnight and in the hours before and after sunrise. Be especially alert during these times.
• Drive carefully through areas with high deer populations and deer crossing zones. Deer typically travel in numbers, so where you see one, there are likely others.
• When traveling at night, use your high beams whenever possible.
• If you see deer, slow down and blow your horn to frighten them away. Stay in your lane and brake firmly. Many deer-related accidents are caused by one car hitting another while attempting to avoid an animal.
• Always wear your seatbelt.
• Do not rely on deer whistles to repel deer.

For additional resources, contact a Knowledge Broker at R&R Insurance. Drive safely!

Every year, one and a half million collisions with deer kill close to 150 people and cause more than $1 billion in vehicle damage. Most collisions happen in the fall, when deer are in the rut or mating season. The odds of colliding with a deer this season for a Wisconsin resident is 1 in 97 - the state of Wisconsin has the 7th highest deer-incident rates nationwide.

Here's how to avoid an unwanted wildlife encounter:

• Don't veer away. Often a deer will do less damage to your car than you might cause by swerving, possibly into oncoming traffic
• Dusk and dawn are when deer are most active - stay alert when on the road
• Deer are herd animals and migrate in groups. If you see one, slow down - there are probably more nearby
• Consider a deer whistle device, but always have a watchful eye even if you have one

Wisconsin residents, contact a knowledgebroker to review your current policy, get a free quote and improve your coverage.