Fall is here, and the mornings are becoming crisp and clear. One of our attorneys noted that he saw several deer playing in the fields by his house this morning. Bow season is under way and we are approximately four weeks from the start of gun season in Missouri.

Recently, the Missouri Highway Patrol issued a news release warning of the danger of deer-vehicle collisions during the months of October-December. The following are facts and helpful tips from our Poplar Bluff personal injury lawyers reminding you to watch for deer on the road so that you can avoid an auto accident this fall.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s last report was for accident occurring in the year 2011, and was issued in late 2012. The full report can be found here, stating in part that:

• In 2011, Missouri had 3,563 traffic crashes involving deer-vehicle collisions. One deer strike occurred every 2.5 hours in the State.

• In 2011, four people were killed and 376 injured in these types of crashes. One person was killed or injured every 23.1 hours.

• Calculations show over half, or 51.2%, of the 2011 deer strike crashes occurred from October through December, with the largest proportion in November (25.0%). When discussing this with the Missouri Department of Conservation, they suggested the major cause of increased roadway crossings by deer during this period is mating season. The peak occurs about mid-November. In addition, deer hunting season also may cause an increase in roadway crossings.

• The majority of deer strike crashes occurred from 5:00 p.m. through 6:59 a.m. This time period accounted for 85.2% of the total.

• Of all deer strike traffic crashes, 26.7% occurred in an urban area and 73.3% occurred in a rural area of the State. Even though rural areas seem to be over-represented, the seven highest ranking Missouri counties experiencing this problem are associated with major metropolitan areas. These include: St. Louis, Jackson, Platte, Jefferson, Clay, Franklin, and St. Charles. Deer strike traffic crashes in these counties account for 31.7% of the total.

• Four out of five, or 82.7%, of the 2011 deer strike crashes occurred on State maintained roadways. The greatest proportion occurred on State Numbered Routes (28.0%), followed by U.S. Highways (25.0%) and Interstates (13.8%). An additional 15.9% occurred on State Lettered Routes, 10.0% on City Streets, and 6.1% on County Roads.

According to State Farm, Missouri is a high-risk state for deer collisions. According to State Farm’s press release, the chances of you hitting a deer if driving in Missouri in the next 12 months are 1 in 116. The national average is 1 in 171. West Virginia is the state with the highest chance for motorists being involved in an auto accident involving a deer. Missouri ranks number 15.

Avoiding a deer-vehicle collision: Tips from the Missouri Highway Patrol

• If you see a deer along or in a roadway, slow down immediately and proceed with caution. If you see a deer, you should assume there are likely others nearby since deer tend to travel in groups. Pay attention to deer crossing signs.

• Deer are most active between the evening hours of 6:00 and 9:00 p.m. Visibility is also limited during this time of day, so use extra caution. Wear your seat belt!

• Don’t try to swerve out of the way to avoid hitting a deer in the roadway. Brake firmly instead. Swerving can lead to an over-correction, which can cause your vehicle to roll over or otherwise get out of control.

Photo courtesy Flickr user cyclewidow