Drive Safely: It's peak deer season in Davidson County
Deer mating season, also known as the rut, in Davidson County, typically peaks around the second week of November. During the rut, deer are more active and are more likely to dart into the road, so motorists should be extra cautious. The rut in North Carolina usually occurs from late October to early December, with the peak activity happening in mid-November. This is a time when it is also getting dark outside earlier in the evening.
The rut is influenced by the lunar phases of the moon and affects several animal species. AAA says that mid-October to December is the worst time of year for vehicle collisions with most animals. “More collisions between vehicles and deer occur now than any other time of the year,” says Jonathon King, vice president of Insurance sales, AAA East Central. “One of our top claims as winter approaches is for vehicles that have been totaled from hitting animals, and the costs can be staggering.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are about 1 million car accidents with deer each year that kill 200 Americans, cause more than 10,000 personal injuries, and result in $1 billion in vehicle damage. Additionally, the most dangerous times for collisions are dusk and dawn when deer are most active. Because of reduced visibility, these are the times when it is tougher for motorists to spot the animals. Deer prefer habitats that offer food, water, and cover, such as creek and river bottoms, oak ridges, pine forests, and farmlands. They can also adapt to suburban sprawl.
To help prevent a crash or to reduce damage from an animal collision motorists should:
Pay attention to road signs. Yellow, diamond-shaped signs with an image of a deer indicate areas with high levels of deer activity.
Keep focused on the road. Ditching distractions is one of the easiest ways to be ready if a deer comes out of nowhere.
Be especially attentive in early morning and evening hours. Many animals, especially deer, are most active from 5-8 a.m. and 5-8 p.m., prime commuting times for many.
Use high beams when there’s no oncoming traffic. Animals can be spotted sooner and the light reflecting off their eyes will often reveal their location.
Slow down and watch for other deer to appear. Deer rarely travel alone, so if there is one, more are likely nearby.
Resist the urge to swerve. Keep both hands firmly on the wheel and don’t change lanes. Swerving away from animals can confuse them so they don’t know which way to run. It can also put motorists in the path of oncoming vehicles or cause the vehicle to crash into something.
If the crash is imminent take your foot off the brake. During hard braking, the front end of a vehicle is pulled downward which can cause the animal to travel up over the hood towards the windshield. Letting off the brake can protect motorists from windshield strikes because the animal is more likely to be pushed to one side of the vehicle or over the top of the vehicle.
In the event of a deer strike:
Call the police.
Avoid making contact with the animal. A frightened or wounded animal can hurt people or further injure itself.
Put the vehicle’s hazard lights on, whether it’s light or dark outside.
If possible, immediately move the vehicle to a safe location, out of the roadway, and wait for help to arrive.
Motorists should contact their insurance agent or company representative as quickly as possible to report any damage.
