County sees 16 percent rise in car-deer collisions; numbers also up across Michigan
Fall can be a dangerous time for drivers on the roads of Isabella County.
The number of car-deer crashes has increased nearly 16 percent from 2008-2009, even though the Michigan Deer Crash Coalition is fighting that rise.
The coalition has assembled and distributed safety tips since 2003, when there were 67,760 car-deer crashes in Michigan, said MDCC Chairwoman Lorri Conarton. There were 61,486 crashes in 2009.
“We are trying to educate the public so that they are more aware when drivers are on the roadway,” Conarton said. “Drivers need to know what time of day the deer herds roam and what season they are most vulnerable.”
Last year, Isabella County had 1,292 accidents, resulting in two casualties and 23 injuries. In 2008, there were only 1,114 accidents, with no casualties and 22 injuries.
The 61,486 Michigan car-deer accidents in 2009 caused 10 casualties, all of which were motorcycles related, according to www.michigandeercrash.org.
The five counties with the most vehicle-deer crashes in 2009 were Kent with 2,164, Oakland with 1,947, Jackson with 1,877, Calhoun with 1,659 and Montcalm with 1,641.
Because of these accidents, Michigan drivers have totaled over $130 million per year in crash cost, with an average insurance claim of about $2,100.
Heritage Collision Repairs, 4884 E. Broomfield Road, has seen an increase in business since deer hunting season has begun, said Manager Randy Hall.
“About 90 percent of the cars that come in from car-deer crashes have front-end damages,” Hall said.
According to the Michigan State Police, most accident occurs on two-lane roads between dusk and dawn.
They advise staying awake, alert and sober. If a deer is spotted, slow down, do not swerve and do not use high-beam lights or honking horns to convince the deer to move.
