October, November and December are the most romantic months of the year for deer, and therefore the most dangerous for drivers when it comes to potential deer collisions.
AAA’s Michigan newsroom warned drivers in a Wednesday message that nearly 43% of vehicle crashes in the state happen during this three-month period. There’s a herd of around 2 million deer in the state and in 2022, close to 60,000 Michigan deer crashes were reported.
Last year, 11 people in Michigan died in deer crashes, including six motorcyclists, and more than 1,600 people were injured. Overall, these crashes cause around $130 million in damages per year.
“With the onset of whitetail deer mating season and more traffic in the woods than normal, fall is a particularly dangerous time for deer-vehicle crashes in Michigan,” said Adrienne Woodland, spokeswoman of AAA-The Auto Club Group. “Shorter days call for motorists to be on the lookout for deer, especially at dawn and dusk.”
According to State Farm, data shows U.S. drivers on the average have a one in 127 chance of a collision with an animal from October through December. In Michigan, the chance is around one in sixty. It’s even more likely in Pennsylvania (one in 59), Montana (one in 53) and West Virginia (one in 38).
For people who live in areas with a large deer population, AAA has offered some tips:
1. Don’t swerve to a avoid a crash – instead, brake firmly, hold on to the steering wheel and stay in your lane of traffic
2. Stay awake and alert – especially at dawn and dusk
3. Always drive sober
4. Wear a seat belt
5. Slow down if you see a deer
6. Motorcyclists: be alert, drive slow when possible, cover brakes, use high beams and always wear protective gear