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Collisions With Deer Peak In Fall

On Behalf of | Oct 28, 2021 | Motor Vehicle Accidents |

Fall can be the most dangerous season to drive in and around Connecticut. The rain, the earlier sunsets and the fallen leaves clogging your windshield wipers can create hazards. Another common driving hazard at this time of year is increased deer activity.

There are more deer collisions in November than any other month

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the number of car accident claims involving animal collisions rises sharply in fall and reaches its peak in November. In fact, the number of these claims that are filed in November is almost 3.5 times the number in August.

Fall is deer mating season

One of the main reasons that there are more animal collisions in the fall is the increased deer activity. When deer start mating, they chase each other across roads without looking both ways. During the evening when cars have their headlights on, deer can literally become blinded and stop in their tracks. This is because deer eyes are much more sensitive to light than ours.

Avoiding accidents with deer

There’s a lot you can do to avoid motor vehicle accidents with deer this fall. It starts with knowing to watch for deer, especially between the hours of 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., when there are more of them out. Drive slower near wooded areas and areas where you see deer crossing signs. If you notice one deer, you should always assume there are others nearby.

What if you can’t avoid hitting a deer?

If a deer crosses your path while you’re driving, there may be nothing you can do to avoid hitting the animal. It’s better to brake than to swerve when a deer is in front of you. Swerving could make you hit another vehicle, which would be more dangerous than hitting the deer. Swerving can also confuse the deer, and they might end up going the same direction as you.

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