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Five states where you're most likely to hit a deer this fall

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) on Oct 4th 2010 at 3:30PM

Leaf-peepers are about to hit the road in force – as they always do this time of year. While soaking in the burning foliage colors with your eyes, it's only too easy to forget you're behind the wheel, a situation that can lead to disastrous consequences. There are some states where beautiful foliage and deer prancing on the streets just seem to go together, according to a study by insurance company State Farm. So, if your autumn plans include scoping out the trees, make sure you look out for deer, too.

Here are the five states where you're most likely to wind up with Bambi on the hood of your car if you aren't careful (with the likelihood of doing so):

1. West Virginia: 1 in 42 (I didn't see this one coming!)

2. Iowa: 1 in 67

3. Michigan: 1 in 70

4. South Dakota: 1 in 76

5. Montana: 1 in 82

What's particularly surprising is that none of the states usually considered to be leaf-peeping destinations made the top five, let alone showed high risk of deer collisions. Massachusetts and New Hampshire are low-risk, with New York, Vermont and Maine only showing medium risk. You're more likely to wash venison off your hood in Arkansas than you are in New Jersey, a state where deer corpses are not uncommon on the side of the road.

Interestingly, the number of miles driven by U.S. motorists, according to State Farm, has grown only 2 percent in the past five years ... while the number of deer/car smacks has surged 20 percent. From July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2010, there were approximately 2.3 million collisions between deer and vehicles. The average cost for an incident was $3,013.

[Chart via Terms + Conditions: Insurance Industry Blog]

Related:
America's best drive: the Beartooth All-American Road
Ten most badass animals native to the US
7 of the craziest, most dangerous, most dizzying hikes in the world (VIDEOS)
The 10 countries with the world's worst drivers

Filed under: North America, United States, Transportation, News, Travel Security

Reader Comments (Page 5 of 7)

Macmillan Oct 5th 2010 9:43PM

This list is grossly incomplete and inaccurate. No where but no where is the risk higher than Pennsylvania. By far and away more problematical than WV (and Route 50) and much worse than NJ or here in VT. Dangerous .. positively dangerous - especially in Elk County.

Jeanie Oct 5th 2010 10:12PM

they should have a clean up crew, and called out response team. Everytime an deer is hit, they should have someone called out to clean them on the spot and throw them in a refridgerated semi..then taken to the nearest "soup kitchen" that feeds the poor. They should not be wasted.

Soread Oct 5th 2010 10:14PM

What a load of Crock? Texas has deer / accidents personally in a span of 2-9 months I had several close calls 5-9 and 2 Major Damage because of deer in Texas. Was told it was doe to mating season = DONT THINK SO

Richard P. Gunion Oct 6th 2010 7:23PM

I live in Washington D.C. and do a lot of driving in the state of Maryland to my favorite trout fishing spots. I have hit two of these deer in the past two years, one at 6:00 PM in the evening and another at 6:00 AM in the morning. Both times damage was considerable and the same car took both hits. The article did not mention that deer are most active early and late in the day. If you drive during daylight hours you might have a better chance of avoiding them. I no longer get up at 4:00 AM to be the first one on the trout stream as the likely hood of hitting one of these things is pretty good. October is the rut with the does trying to run away from the males. A 150 lb deer can turn a $20,000 car into a $20 car in short order. I say extend all the hunting seasons just so long nobody gets shot by some hunter that has had a little bit too much jack daniels.

Ray Oct 5th 2010 10:21PM

I am tired of these deer causing all these accidents. When is the government going to make the deer buy insurance?

Sheri Oct 5th 2010 10:26PM

Someone should have told the the deer that I hit it Gulfport MS at 6:30 am that he is at low risk. I hit him doing 70 on Interstate 10 in May, 2010. he did approx 12,000 dollars damage to the front of Kia Borrego. We were lucky we only felt a bump and were able to drive on to a dealer in Gulfport. There was a v shape dent in the middle of the grill but lots of damage within. I live in Northern Florida and we always have deer being hit on the country roads, I saw 8 just last night coming home. Low risks I don't think so....

pam Oct 5th 2010 10:29PM

I am surpised Alabama isn't on the high end.My husband just got a new Truck whe a deer jump out and wrecked it..I have had mmany deer run in front of my car also but never hit one...deer are not as helpless as people seem to think and hunting helps keep deer under contrl..I do so love deer jerkey

Laura Oct 6th 2010 8:42AM

Dang I got in a deer accident in Florida and it's supposedly "low risk" =P

darkskiesrbest Oct 5th 2010 10:33PM

I believe this is primarily an education problem. If the deer would just learn to cross the roads at those deer crossing signs then we would have fewer incidents. Please educate the deer!

Russ Oct 5th 2010 10:45PM

Pa.is bad also...I hit five over the last five years. Most have been with a big truck.
Pa is one of the states that switches time....it's easy for humans to make the adjustment but the deer have no idea the time has changed. They are used to their schedules and when we turn the clocks back in the fall we are right in the middle of their time to move from the woods to fields and they move closer to roads as it gets darker. During the rut season they don't care about roads fences or people...they have one thing on their mind and it's not eating!

jonsusanes Oct 5th 2010 11:04PM

If you are a good driver, you should be alert to "glowing eyes", the reflective retina of animal eyes. They are Mother Nature's warning to drivers and you will start to see them at dusk. That is when all the nocturnal animals come out along the roads. Not only deer, but cats, raccoons, skunks, opossums, and the like. If you are a conscience driver and concerned about animals, you will not drive as fast at night and ALWAYS scan the roads for the reflective eyes. JUST SLOW DOWN!!!

Kathy Oct 5th 2010 11:06PM

Excuse me, but #3 Michigan IS a "leaf-peeping destination!"

steve Oct 5th 2010 11:15PM

I'm kinda grossed out too, but pleased that a tractor - trailer / big truck can take out a deer and keep on truckin'. I'm wondering if anyone has done a study on the best speed for killing a deer with minimal damage to one's ordinary passenger car. Put another way - I'd like to see the auto insurance stats for dead deer VS cost to repair the car. There's so many deer in my NE Ohio that I'd gladly pop one at 20MPH to teach it to stay off the roads!

barry Oct 5th 2010 11:23PM

What a stupid article! So what are we to do now - stay away from those states?

Paula Oct 5th 2010 11:31PM

Fortunately, I've never seen a deer hit (I live in Kentucky) but one of my husband's grandsons has the dubious distinction of hitting three ever since he started driving. He lives in Connecticut. I am skeptical about this as it's ironic that he has had this as a reason (excuse?) for being late for some family functions. Coming home with a dented car three different times. There are deer here but not as many as other states who have an over abundance of them it seems. We do have signs about deer crossings and I believe (hope) that helps somewhat in making people more aware of the areas.

steve Oct 5th 2010 11:32PM

Why do I click on "most recent comments" and get sent to a completely different web page / article??

MIchael Mc Manus Oct 5th 2010 11:36PM

route 287 in NJ and also 208
you will strike one
used to work nights.
4 am to go to work.
caution on these roads.

Hols Oct 5th 2010 11:47PM

Representing Iowa here, I'm still a teenager and almost hit a deer with my learners permit, when i was 14. Learned later that year to not 'veer for deer' in drivers ed. they are everywhere. you can't drive on the highway or interstate at night without seeing them.

fuzzywuzzy Oct 5th 2010 11:57PM

in my driving life 25 yrs i missed at least over a hundred does about 5 big bucks a cow and a bear and i never hit one of them (only because of pure luck)you have to go slow in areas and be aware of everything and this is in PA

Becky Oct 6th 2010 12:02AM

The rednecks want the hi-way dept. to move the sign 'Deer Crossing', because too many deer were passing there.
Have any of you ever tried the whistles/noise makers to put on your car that only deer/dogs can hear? Some would not drive without them here in Texas. One lady got a new car and took it to work before one was added to the frame and she hit a deer that night, reminding her never to drive again without one. They are easy to install and do not cost much and can be found at an auto parts store.
Try it, it will save the lives of the ones you love and keep your car in one piece.