Study says hitting a whitetail more likely in area
While the fall season historically increases the likelihood of motorists colliding with whitetail deer, recent studies indicate that Pennsylvania drivers are even more likely to collide with them this year than others.
This fall, one in 67 PA drivers stand a chance of colliding with a large animal — a 4.5 percent increase from the previous year, according to an annual deer claim study from State Farm.
The study ranks Pennsylvania as the third most likely state to strike a large animal, which can include whitetail deer, moose and elk, behind Montana and West Virginia, who are ranked second and first respectively.
“The likelihood of colliding with a large animal more than doubles during the months of October, November and December,” according to the State Farm study.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission attributes the period of increased activity to the whitetail’s fall breeding season, commonly referred to as the “rut.”
“Around this time, many yearling bucks disperse from the areas in which they were born and travel, sometimes several dozen miles, to find new ranges,” according to a press release from the commission. “Meanwhile, adult bucks more often are cruising their home ranges in search of does, and they sometimes chase the does they encounter.”
Jay Ofsanik, a safety press officer with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, also remarked on the pressure pressure this time of year.
“A lot of people forget about that. Even if it’s warmer, milder weather right now, bow season has already started. And then there was early muzzleloader and mentored youth,” Ofsanik said. “The deer really start moving from the pressure, which increases the chance of a motorist coming into contact with them.”
The game commission also noted the increased vehicular traffic during a deer’s peak hours of activity, especially now with daylight saving time that ends Nov. 6.
Last year in Fayette County, there were 82 crashes involving deer, according to Ofsanik. It’s a slight decrease from 2014, during which 84 deer-related accidents occurred. Though numbers have fluctuated — deer-involved accidents in 2013, 2012 and 2011 recorded as 84, 78 and 55 respectively — they remain in the same vicinity, Ofsanik said.
In Greene County, however, numbers were notably lower, with only 27 deer-related accidents in 2015, followed by 25 in 2014, 23 in 2013 and 2012, and only 18 in 2011.
Ofsanik attributed the lower statistics to less motorists on more rural roads.
“Here in Fayette, you’ve got Route 40 that runs straight through the mountains where the deer population is heavy,” Ofsanik said. “There’s much more interaction with motorists and deer in Fayette than Greene counties.”
In the last five years, only one of the Fayette County deer-involved accidents resulted in a fatality. In 2013, a motorcyclist was killed after he struck a deer in Wharton Township.
“Motorcyclists are the most susceptible to injuries when they come in contact with a deer,” Ofsanik said. “Motorcyclists will stretch their riding season as long as they can, especially now with the fall foliage and extra warm weather. We just encourage them to be aware when driving back roads with deer. Keep your eyes open.”
As for motorists in general this fall season, the game commission encourages drivers to not only to be more aware of their surroundings, but to also better understand deer behavior.
“For example, deer often travel in family groups and walk single file,” the press release stated. “So even if one deer successfully crosses the road in front of a driver, it doesn’t mean the threat is over. Another could be right behind it.”
The AAA East Central insurance agency office indicated in a press release that “the term ‘deer caught in headlights’ exists for a reason.”
They advised motorists not to swerve when a deer darts in front of them, but to instead brake firmly. AAA officials also instructed drivers to expect the deer to run and travel in groups, and that they’re more likely to congregate or cross in your path in areas with deer crossing signs.
Motorists were also advised to “continuously sweep your eyes across the road in front of you for signs of animals and movement,” and to “use high beams when there’s no oncoming traffic” to better spot animals and light reflecting off their eyes.
“Deer do unpredictable things. Sometimes they stop in the middle of the road when crossing. Sometimes they cross and quickly re-cross back from where they came,” game commission officials said. “Sometimes they move toward an approaching vehicle. Assume nothing. Slow down; blow your horn to urge the deer to leave the road. Stop if the deer stays on the road; don’t try to go around it.”