Deer-vehicle collisions impact residents
Locals share stories, Insurance Information Institute tells how to avoid costly collisions
BY LELAND ACKER

A herd of white-tail deer graze in the shade of the East Texas Piney Woods in the hours before sunset. The Insurance Information Institute reports that deer-vehicle collisions increase through the months of October, November and December due to an increase in herd movements during hunting season. Deer are most active between sunset and midnight, the report says. PHOTO: TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT

In an effort to survive hunting season, deer tend to go nocturnal and move frequently during the months of October, November and December. The result, according to a report released by the Insurance Information Institute, is an increase in deer-vehicle collisions.

The institute reports that in addition to vehicle damages (the average deer claim is $2,600), deer-vehicle collisions accounted for 150 occupant deaths and tens of thousands of injuries.

Deer-vehicle collisions are increasing as the wildlife habitat continues to shrink. Rapid expansion of south Tyler and northern Lufkin may contribute to more deer collisions in Cherokee County.

"As our wildlife habitat continues to shrink, accidents with deer and other animals are likely to increase," said Jeanne M. Salvatore, senior vice president and consumer spokesperson for the Insurance Information Institute. "We need to be more vigilant in our driving."

Deer collisions are common on busy highways near cities, as Sharon Ferrell of Houston, formerly of Alto, learned one night. Her collision with a deer happened on U.S. Hwy. 69 just south of the Tyler city limits. Mrs. Ferrell was heading into Tyler to get her children from their grandparents' house.

"I noticed a large deer coming from the left. It was running fast so I started to slow down," she said. "I slowed down even more in hopes he would get across the highway before I passed by. Well, it didn't work out like I thought and we collided."

Mrs. Ferrell's collision with the deer was severe.

"He hit the front windshield with his head and shattered it into a million pieces. His large body wrapped around the driver's side of the car, breaking the glass out of the door and knocking the outside rearview mirror off," she said. "He was so large that his hind legs hit the rear windshield and shattered it also."

After a quick assessment revealed that she and her small dachshund puppy were okay, she contacted the authorities and had her car towed.

"When I went to work Monday morning, my principal made the comment that he had been deer hunting and he should have been where I was because I 'got one.'"

Judy Wallace of Cushing said she and her husband, Charles, hit two deer in one night while returning home from the National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City. The first deer collided with their vehicle on U.S. Hwy. 84 near Palestine, knocking out the driver's side headlight. The second collided with her vehicle on FM 343, just 10 miles away from her home, knocking out the second headlight.

"There was a full moon that night, so we were able to drive home by the light of the moon," she said.

Mary Burnett said she was hit by a deer while traveling on U.S. 84 near Reklaw.

"It did over $1,700 damage to my car," she said. "One good lesson I learned from it, when you drive at night, especially during deer hunting season, drive slower and pay attention."

"You have to be very careful of deer while driving in East Texas, especially this time of year while the bucks are rutting and chasing the does," County Judge Chris Davis said. "They aren't thinking about anything but catching one and they will run out in front of you."

Judge Davis recommended that drivers watch for the glowing eyes of deer on the sides of the road and slow down when they appear. He also discouraged drivers from mounting deer hit by a vehicle as if they had shot them hunting.

"The most unscrupulous thing a man can do is have a car-hit deer mounted as if he killed it hunting," he said.

There are people right now who have deer on their walls with mud grip tire tracks running across their necks."

The Insurance Information Institute's report said deer are not only found on rural roadways, but many crashes happen on busy highways near cities.

The report also cited the unpredictable reactions of deer as a reason for collisions, and reminded drivers that deer move in herds.

The report advised caution when driving through deercrossing zones, using seatbelts and high beams.

The report also advised caution between sunset and midnight and the hours close to sunrise, stating that this is when deer are most active. In the event a deer is in the path of a vehicle, the driver is advised to brake firmly and to stay in his lane. Many serious crashes occur when drivers swerve to miss deer, the report stated.

Deer season will continue through the end of December.