Fall in Wisconsin is simply gorgeous. As rolling hillsides burst with color, local farmers hustle to bring in the Fall harvest and prepare fields for the inevitable Wisconsin winter. And at the same time, whitetail deer activity increases.
Motorists stay alert
All of this commotion also makes Wisconsinites daily commute slightly more dangerous. From mid-October through December, deer and other wild animals will be out in droves. And while you may only see one deer standing along the roadside, rest assured, there are more near by ready to dart out at any given moment, striking your vehicle with full force. It’s an unfortunate experience. And it’s one that is getting costlier.
Last year, according to the State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation, there were over 16,000 deer-vehicle collisions reported. That’s nearly three times as many as alcohol-related crashes. Less dense foliage, higher animal activity levels, an earlier setting sun along with the annual Wisconsin deer hunting season collectively result in nearly 150 accidents per day during the seasonal peak with more than 400 personal injuries on an annual basis.
Repairs can be Costly
Ask anyone who has hit a deer and they all agree there's really no such thing as a “minor” deer-vehicle crash.
“When a deer smacks into your car, they collide with significant force,” says James Anderberg, manager at Ball Body Shop, a division of Smart Motors. He says the average hit can cost between $2,500 and $6,000 with some smash-ups resulting in a total loss. And to make matters worse, these costs are going up.
Anderberg says the features that are currently on vehicles to help keep drivers and passengers safe are one of the reasons repair costs are on the rise.
“Deer commonly take out the hood, grille, air conditioning condenser, the radiator, fan assembly, and front inner structure components,” he says. “But more and more, we’ve had to replace sensors, cameras, and other high tech safety features now more commonly housed in the front of your vehicle.”
Anderberg says some auto manufacturers are said to be refining collision-warning systems to help alert drivers to deer. “For now, though, there’s not a front crash prevention system that is calibrated to recognize deer or other animals,” he says.
State Farm Insurance says the national reported cost per claim from hitting a deer rose 6 percent to more than $4,100 from about $3,900 in 2014 and then rose to $4,341 in 2018. And while a driver’s comprehensive insurance coverage should absorb these costs, many drivers elect not to carry comprehensive and therefor have to pay out of pocket.
Anderberg acknowledges the situation is unfortunate, but assures Ball Body Shop has the expertise required to fix any deer crash incident.
But to make sure the accidents never occur in the first place, Anderberg recommends avoiding high density areas where deer congregate after dark. Rural and suburban roads with zig-zagging stretches, long straightaways, uphill corners, sharp curves, dense culverts and low lighting can all overlap to create dangerous choke-points where accidents may occur.
Tips for Motorists
Anderberg also offers the following tips on how motorists can help avoid a deer-car collision this fall:
• Always use caution when driving - especially at dusk and into the evening hours. When light levels are low animals are more active.
• Complacency equals negligence. Stay alert, focused and pay attention – be aware of the landscape and your environment.
• Deer generally travel in small groups. If one crosses the road, odds are there are others nearby that might attempt crossing. Watch for and recognize deer crossing signs.
• Sometimes it makes sense to hit the deer. This might sound callous, but if the choice comes down to hitting a deer or swerving over the center line, hitting the deer will cause less damage and reduces mortality rates.
• Be a speed limit driver, higher speeds reduce reaction times - going the speed limit increases travel safety.
• Keep your lights, brakes and tires well maintained for optimal performance. Buckle-up, don't tailgate and remember to slow it down.
• And, prepare for the unexpected.
About Ball Body Shop
Ball Body Shop, the official body shop of Smart Motors, opened its doors in 1950 and provides the Madison area with customized, cost-effective auto-body services to all domestic and imported vehicle makes. Ball Body Shop has been voted “Best Body Shop” by the readers of Madison Magazine over the years. Ball Body Shop is located at 2225 Eagle Drive, Middleton WI. Phone #: 608.831.5944.
