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SEATTLE - Vehicles and deer can be a lethal combination on Northwest
roads. As the weather gets colder, deer and other wildlife migrate
from the mountains and you face greater risk of collisions when
they dart across roads and highways.
More deer-vehicle accidents occur between October and December
than any other time of the year. The Washington Department of
Transportation reported 1,648 collisions involving large, non-domestic
animals from 2007, resulting in 212 injuries and two fatalities.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety estimates there are
more than 1.6 million deer-vehicle collisions nationwide each
year, resulting in 150 occupant deaths, tens of thousands of injuries
and over $3.6 billion in vehicle damage. The average deer-vehicle
auto claim involving bodily injury is about $11,000, according
to the Insurance Information Institute.
"Rain makes it more difficult to stop suddenly," said Karl Newman,
NW Insurance Council president. "Caution and alertness can save
your life and eliminate the need for costly vehicle repairs."
If you have optional Comprehensive Coverage, your Auto Insurance
policy will pay for damage to your vehicle, less the deductible,
if you hit a deer or any other animal. NW Insurance Council offers
the following defensive driving tips to help you avoid deer while
on the road:
- Be attentive from sunset to midnight and hours before and
after sunrise. These are the highest-risk periods for deer-vehicle
collisions.
- Drive with caution when moving through deer-crossing zones,
in areas known to have a large deer population and in areas
where roads divide agricultural fields from forestland.
- Deer seldom run alone. If you see one deer, others may be
nearby.
- When driving at night, use high beam headlights when there
is no oncoming traffic.
- Brake firmly when you notice a deer in or near your path and
stay in your lane. Many serious crashes occur when drivers swerve
to avoid a deer and hit another vehicle or lose control of their
cars.
If you have questions about coverage, contact your insurance
agent or company.For more information, call the NW Insurance Council
at (800) 664-4942 or visit http://www.nwinsurance.org.
NW Insurance Council is a nonprofit, public-education organization
funded by member insurance companies.
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