With nearly 600,000 hunters heading out for the start of the Firearm Deer Season, it is important to remember that over 43 percent of vehicle-deer crashes occur in Michigan during the months of October, November and December.
Last year, 5 people were killed in deer crashes. Three were occupants in motor vehicles and two were motorcyclists. Another 1,400 people were injured in vehicle-deer crashes. In Michigan, vehicle-deer crashes are expensive, causing at least $130 million in damage annually. The state has a 1.7 million-strong deer herd. Deer frequently travel in groups. If you see one deer cross the road, chances are there are more nearby.
In 2020, there were 51,103 vehicle deer crashes, down 5.8% from 54,254 during 2019. Oakland County had the most crashes with 1,854. The remaining top nine were Kent (1,712), Jackson (1,471), Ottawa (1,363), Lapeer (1,243), Allegan (1,242), Genesee (1,169), Clinton (1,131), Washtenaw (1,068) and Sanilac (1,064).
AAA offers these Five Fall Safety Tips:
Motorists
- Stay awake, alert and sober.
- Always wear a seat belt.
- Be especially alert at dawn and dusk.
- If you see one deer, slow down. Chances are there are others nearby.
- If a crash is unavoidable, don’t swerve, brake firmly, hold onto the steering wheel, stay in your lane and bring your car to a controlled stop.
Motorcyclists
- Stay awake, alert and sober.
- Slow down and be alert for deer whenever you ride.
- Cover the brakes to reduce reaction time.
- Use high beam headlights and additional riding lights when possible.
- Wear protective gear at all times.
AAA in Michigan celebrated its 100th Anniversary – A Century of Service in 2016 and has over 1.5 million members across the state. It is part of The Auto Club Group (ACG). Connect with us on Facebook and LinkedIn.
The Auto Club Group (ACG) is the second largest AAA club in North America with more than 14 million members across 14 U.S. states, the province of Quebec and two U.S. territories. ACG and its affiliates provide members with roadside assistance, insurance products, banking and financial services, travel offerings and more. ACG belongs to the national AAA federation with more than 62 million members in the United States and Canada. AAA’s mission is to protect and advance freedom of mobility and improve traffic safety. For more information, get the AAA Mobile app, visit AAA.com, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
