The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is alerting drivers to be prepared for deer on the move during the last three months of the year. According to District 1 & 2 Public Information Officer Keith Todd, last year more than 3,200 deer-vehicle collisions were reported. This is slightly more than the 3,100 collisions reported in 2016.
Todd adds at least 103 of the deer-related accidents occurred in Christian County last year. With 93 occurring in Hopkins, 69 in Muhlenberg, 45 in both Calloway and Trigg counties, and 40 or less in Marshall, Lyon, Caldwell, and Todd counties.
In addition to causing damage to vehicles, deer contribute to more than 100 injury crashes and on average three highway fatalities in Kentucky each year.
According to State Farm Insurance, the national average cost per deer collision claim for 2017 was $4,179, up from $3,995 reported in 2016.
Kentucky Transportation officials offer several driving tips to help improve safety:
– Always wear a safety belt.
– Keep headlights on bright unless other vehicles are approaching.
– Drive defensively, constantly scanning the roadside, especially at dawn and dusk when deer are more active.
– Slow down immediately when you spot a deer crossing the roadway ahead, as deer tend to travel in groups.
– Don’t swerve to avoid a deer–Swerving can result in a more serious crash with an oncoming vehicle or roadside object.
– In the event of a crash, keep both hands on the wheel and apply brakes steadily until stopped.
