by Lyle Adriano
In Missouri, more than 8200, motor vehicle/deer collisions were recorded for the year 2014—a staggering 2929 more than the previous year’s record, according to data compiled jointly by the Missouri Department of Conservation and Department of Transportation.
“It’s an astronomical number, really,” said Calvin Call, Missouri Insurance Information Service Executive Director. “So we felt we need to warn people, especially this time of the year.”
Call suggested that there were three reasons for the increased numbers: hunting activity, crop harvesting, and the deer mating season. He also said much of the responsibility falls upon the awareness of the drivers themselves.
“These are accidents that could be prevented if drivers were more aware while driving and knew how to react when they encounter a deer,” he said.
According to Call, the monetary costs for these collisions was about $33 million, which is $12 million more than the record for 2013.
The Missouri Insurance Information Service released a report on October 16 that urged drivers to be “extremely cautious” of deer on the road, particularly for the last three months of the year.
The report also stated that most severe deer-related collisions occur when the driver attempts to avoid the deer.
The Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration (DIFP) released a video last Friday that offered tips on how motorists can avoid or deal with deer collisions.
