The number of deer-vehicle crashes in Delaware has gone down in 2008 but experts tell motorists to remain cautious, with most of those accidents tending to rise during this time of the year.
A resident of Morrow County reported that he was driving through Marengo early morning yesterday at 50 miles per hour when three doe darted across the road in front of him. Driving at a low speed, he was able to avoid all three of them but something heavy smashed hard into his truck’s bumper. It was a ten-point buck running after the female deer which caught the front end of the vehicle. Before it fell, it rolled into the side of his truck, causing further damage. He and the deputy needed more help to lift the ten-point buck, which normally weighs over 200 pounds. The driver says his Ohio auto insurance will cover the damages.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resource’s (ODNR) Division of Wildlife reports that such accidents become more common during autumn season, when there is an increased activity of bucks running after doe. The breeding season normally runs from October to January, with most deer-vehicle accidents recorded during the period.
Fortunately, deer-related crashes went down to 476 last year, according to the Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS). The department says that was a 12% decline from its preceding year. November still remains the most dangerous month for such crashes, accounting for nearly a fourth of the recorded incidents.
Despite the decrease in deer-vehicle crashes, the department tells motorists not to let down their guards and to remain alert every time they are behind the wheels.
Experts remind motorists that the drop in the number of crashes for Delaware County can be deceiving. Part of the decrease could be attributed to changes in reporting rates since most car insurance providers no longer require policy holders to file an accident report. Additionally, motorists who do make a file may be less inclined to complete them if they have not sustained physical injuries.
In 2008, 20 injuries were recorded in Delaware County as a result of deer-related crashes, with one fatality reported during that period. County deputies have recorded 66 crashes involving deer this year as of mid-October.
In Ohio, 24,590 deer-related crashes were reported in 2008, a 6.5 percent decline from its previous year.
But the state’s largest car insurer advises motorists to take such crashes seriously since they could lead to severe damage on their vehicles and could even result to death. It also reminded policy holders that their auto insurance premium goes up each time they file for a claim.
