Deer crashes: Odds are getting worse in Arkansas
Deer crashes: Odds are getting worse in Arkansas
Data shows the chances drivers will collide with a deer are on the rise
kip.diggs.hvq4@statefarm.com
LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas drivers are nearly 5.2 percent more likely to collide with a deer than they were last year, according to new claims data from State Farm. The odds drivers will hit a deer in Arkansas are 1 out of 96, above the national odds of 1 in 164.
Using its claims data and state licensed driver counts from the Federal Highway Administration, State Farm, the nation’s leading auto insurer, estimates the state by state chances of any single American motorist striking a deer, elk or moose.
2016 State Farm deer collisions facts:
• Arkansas is ranked 14th in the country for the most deer collisions
• The national cost per claim average is $3,995 down slightly from 2015 when the average was $4,135.
• The months a driver is most likely to collide with a deer in Arkansas, mostly due to mating season are October-December.
• For the tenth year in a row, West Virginia tops the list of states where a collision is most likely with1 in 41 odds.
These tips could help drivers avoid a collision:
• Pay attention to deer crossing signs
• Always buckle up, every trip, every time
• Use your high beams, when possible, to see farther • Brake if you can, but avoid swerving, which could result in a more severe crash
• Remain focused on the road, scanning for hazards, including animals
• Avoid distractions, like devices or eating, which might cause you to miss seeing an animal
• Do not rely on products such as deer whistles, which are not proven effective
• If riding a motorcycle, always wear protective gear and keep focus on the road ahead
From Kip Diggs
