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What Are The Odds That You’ll Hit A Deer? Probably Higher Than You Think
March 14, 2010
Odds are, you or someone you know in North Escambia has hit a deer. If not, odds are you won’t have to wait long for that to change — maybe even on your next trip out to the store. In fact, a vehicle-deer collision happens every 26 seconds in the U.S.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, deer-vehicle collisions in the U.S. cause more than 150 fatalities each year. Last year, one North Escambia resident died after he hit a deer while on his motorcycle. Tad Fredrick Cann, 46, of Walnut Hill struck the deer about daybreak on February 9, 2009, near the intersection of Molino Road and Sunshine Hill Road.
In addition to actual collisions with deer, many North Escambia area accidents are attributed to drivers attempting to avoid deer.
The number of vehicles on U.S. roadways has grown by seven percent over the last five years. But the number of times those vehicles have collided with deer has swelled by much more than that.
Using its claims data, auto insurer State Farm estimates 2.4 million collisions between deer and vehicles occurred in the U.S. during the two-year period between July 1, 2007 and June 30, 2009. That’s 100,000 per month.
The most likely state in which to hit a deer? West Virginia with a 1 in 39 chance. The least likely? Hawaii. Just 1 in 9,931 — about the chance of randomly picking one piece of clover that turns out to have four leaves.
The likelihood of colliding with a deer in Florida during the next year is 1 in 1,147 across the state. But in the North Escambia area, our chances are much more like those in Alabama — about 1 in 205. Deer-vehicle crashes were up 38 percent in the last five years in Florida and up 16 percent in Alabama during the same period.
The average property damage cost of these incidents was $3,050, up 3.4 percent from a year ago, according to State Farm.
Pictured: The driver of this Nissan 350Z was not injured when he plowed through a Highway 97 cemetery in February, 2009, in an attempt to avoid a deer. Pictured inset: The driver of this car suffered minor injuries in a collision with a deer on Highway 4 near Northview High School in July, 2009. Pictured below: Four people were injured in this Miller Road accident when the driver of this SUV tried to avoid a deer in August, 2009. NorthEscambia.com exclusive photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
15 Responses to “What Are The Odds That You’ll Hit A Deer? Probably Higher Than You Think”
I am one of Tad’s sons and I miss him very much as do many of us. Death is a great tragity no matter how it happens or how prepared we may be for it. My dad was a strong christian man and I am greatful to have had him as a father. He taught me many things in life but the most important thing of all is of the love of God and the glorious gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Praise God for men of faith that stand up for what they believe and are pursistent in presenting the gospel even when they know that they may be hated for it. I thank everyone for their prayers and support through all of this.
1 Thessalonisn 4:16-18
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Chrest will rise first.
Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall alwaysbe with the Lord.
Therefore comfort one another with these words.
Tad is my brother. I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE HIM IN MY LIFE FOR 46 years. I miss him terribly. On behalf of his family and friends, thank you so much for your love and support.
Be careful at night if you are traveling highway 4 to Jay. Toward the bottom of Jay hill, there are always at least 2 deer there on side of the road.
What are the odds you will have a wreck and BLAME it on a DEER.
Tad we have miss you alot he was a great man and friend and husband and father but you will live in our hearts and minds foverever and we know GOD has many many plans for you now. the oakfield boys
Yes EMD, we who believe would love to hear the rest of God grace granted that night to you.
I’ve come close to hitting a few, but the nose of one down the rear quarter panel of our car wher she left a clean streak down the side was close enough for me. No damage to the car no lasting damage to the deer. Praise God.
Those things scare me to death, I’ve had them to run out in front of me, but thank the good lord I have never hit one. I was riding with some friends once, many years ago though and hit a deer…
Marsha…tell us what happened next…you have me thinking…I will believe it …I promise because I know how the Lord can work in mysterious waysespecially when it comes to miracles
Marsha is correct. Sometimes there are more than two. I have seen herds of 5 -8. My first encounter, I hit 2, shortly after turning onto 99 from 196, just past the bridge. One was killed, and the lights on the right side of my truck were damaged. There was also blood, hair and dents on my truck, and I was not going fast, as I had just turned. Then, coming home about 1AM from Frisco City, after a Thanksgiving dinner and visit with family and friends, I was watching for deer, but was going about 50 mph on dark, dark 97A. My headlights were not adjusted properly, so I couldn’t see very far ahead. Suddenly, the biggest deer I had ever seen on the road, appeared right in front of me. I had time, only to say one word, and I said, “JESUS!” If I told you what happened next you wouldn’t believe me, and I had no witnesses. But, I am alive and unscathed. I experienced a bone fide miracle that dark morning.
I’ve always heard, and found it to be true, if a deer crosses the road in front of you, be sure to slow down and watch out ,because there is usually another (or more) behind it.
I miss Tad, he was truly a good christian man. I don’t understand why God took him so early in life, but I do know that Tad is with God now.
God bless his wife and children.
We had to travel up to Columbus, MS the other evening after dark… We left here around 8:30pm and arrived there slightly after midnight. In about 4 hours of traveling, I believe we saw at least 300 deer if not more. Between towns you would see groups of them every couple minutes along the highways grazing, some right up next to the pavement. Scary and tense driving.
It was very similar to the amount along Hwy. 97, all the way there…. I’ve made that trip many times and that is by far the most I’ve seen. Makes you wonder if they may have to step up the deer control programs in these southern states.
I’ve hit three. Hopefully, since everything comes in threes, I’m done. I am much more watchful also.
this is the reason i feed the deer on my 35 acres(on Sunshine Hill rd) I’d rather them be in my yard than the rd…this goes for DAWGS too!!! We are in the country w/ a lot of woods, people need to remember that..no thatt it is a good place to race or anything…pay attention to the roads & slow your buts down!!
Good info and so true! We purchased “deer whistlers” and installed them on our vehicles. They are inexpensive, easy to install, and provide some protection by alerting the deer with a high pitched sound-hopefully sending them away from the approaching vehicle. Remember though, they do have to be cleaned occasionally to remove bugs,etc.