By Theresa Ficazzola
Last week was Give Wildlife a Break week – a time to increase awareness about the animals that share our world, especially those that are found near our roadways. According to State Farm Insurance, 1.9 million animal collision insurance claims were submitted in the U.S. between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021; that’s almost 200,000 more than the previous 12 months.
The peak season for car/animal collisions is October, November and December. This is especially true during dawn and dusk when many animals are out looking for food and mates and visibility can be impacted by the position of the sun in the sky or darkness.
As you would expect, the number one animal that is hit by cars is deer because they often dart out quickly trying to cross the road with no warning to passing motorists. According to State Farm, the other animals that are often struck by cars are:
- Rodents
- Dogs
- Racoons
- Cattle
- Coyotes
- Turkeys
- Cats
- Birds
- Tortoises
For the past 10 years, West Virginia was the state with the most deer car accidents in the country, with motorists having a 1 in 37 chance of hitting one.
On a positive note, many states are taking proactive measures to assist animals with crossing major roadways, when feasible. The Wildlife Corridors Conservation Act mandates that overpasses, underpasses, fencing and signage should be used to limit animal/vehicle collisions. In Gainsville, Florida, for example, the Department of Transportation built eight wildlife culverts for alligators, salamanders and frogs to safely pass under busy roads, decreasing the mortality rates there by 93.5%.
Driving Tips
The Humane Society offers drivers these tips to limit your chances of hitting an animal, saving their lives and saving you costly car repairs:
- Follow the speed limit and even slow down while driving
- Stay alert
- Watch for wildlife near roads, especially at dusk and dawn
- Be particularly careful near woods, fields and streams
- Don’t throw food out your car window which will only draw animals closer to roadways
- Use your high beams
- Break as necessary, but don’t swerve
- Discuss this issue with friends and family, particularly young motorists who might not be aware of these dangers (15 – 24 year olds have the highest injury rate of any age group from car accidents with large animals)
If you’re thinking that this will never happen to me, consider that, on average, U.S. drivers have a 1 in 109 chance of a collision with an animal. And don’t assume that a collision only happens on major highways where cars are traveling at a high rate of speed. I have personally seen a deer dart across a local road and hit a car going about 25-30 mph. And on another occasion, I saw a small bird crash into someone’s windshield just a few blocks from their house.
Safety Tips
If you do find yourself a victim of an animal collision, follow these steps:
- Move your car to a safe place
- Call the police
- Document the incident and take pictures
- Stay away from the injured animal
- Determine if your car is safe to drive
So, during this season of giving—Give our Wildlife a Break! Slow down and be extra vigilant while driving. And remember, we only have one planet. We must share it with all of its inhabitants and take steps to make our world a better place.
Solar Tips
Something else you can do that’s good for our planet is getting solar panels installed on your home. You can go solar for $0 down, save thousands of dollars on your electricity costs, and do your part to conserve energy and save the planet. Contact SI Solar today for your free, no obligation solar assessment.
