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AAA offers tips to avoid deer-related crashes

Delaware Public Media
Triple-A Mid-Atlantic warns drivers there’s reason to be more cautious on Delaware roadways in the coming weeks.";

The days are getting shorter and in two weeks, Daylight Saving Time ends - making it darker even earlier. That and the start of deer mating season increases the risk of drivers hitting a deer.

 

AAA Mid-Atlantic says October, November and December are the worst months of the year for motor vehicle collision with animals.

And AAA spokesman Ken Grant says drivers should be particularly aware and cautious.

“Primarily in rural areas, but we’re seeing more and more seeing deer strikes happening all over. So you just need to be careful. This is of course mating season for deer and some other animals. In 2017 Delaware saw 1,913 crashes involving deer and other animals,” Grant said.

 

Deer typically cross roads between areas of cover, such as woods, or where roads divide agricultural fields from wooded areas. And that means collisions tend to happen for frequently downstate.

“The vast majority of those actually happened in Sussex County, almost as many in Sussex County as Kent and New Castle County combined. But still that’s a pretty large number; that’s a lot of damage that resulted in about 64 personal injuries," said Grant.

 
Grant recommends turning on high beams when driving in those higher risk areas, if possible.

Grant adds if you hit a deer, stop at the scene, get your car off the road if possible and call police. You should also contact your insurance company as quickly as possible to report any damage to your vehicle.

 

Kelli Steele has over 30 years of experience covering news in Delaware, Baltimore, Winchester, Virginia, Phoenix, Arizona and San Diego, California.