Road Hazards Increase During Deer Mating Season
South Florida, it’s August. For North Florida, it’s October and November. We’re talking about the white-tailed deer mating season and when the temperatures drop, deer not only look for a mate but they get bolder and graze closer to the side of the road. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC) has observed deer walking into busy areas with cars, reports the Daytona Beach News-Journal. In some cases, they may run across the street looking for a mate. And in some cases, motorists stop to avoid a deer only to be rear-ended by another vehicle.
Between 2003 and 2008, there were 58 deaths in Florida vehicle collisions with animals putting the state at 17th in the nation. Every year, there are about one to two million crashes with large animals on the nation’s roads, the majority of these accidents involve deer.
The News-Journal quotes the insurance companies as saying that more claims are filed in October and November than at any other time of the year. In fact, in November the collision rate is one every five seconds, reports insurer State Farm. In the western part of Florida, February is the mating season for the deer. Look for deer primarily away from the beach, but they can be found along the Intracoastal Waterway and even on barrier islands, primarily on two-lane roads.
Insurers say the cost of colliding with a deer is significant and could run you about $1,000. Comprehensive coverage may be your best bet to be reimbursed for those costs as compared to just collision insurance.
The Jacksonville auto accident lawyers with Farah & Farah understand that colliding with a deer is a good reminder of how important it is to wear a seat belt. And if you are on a motorcycle, a helmet may be your best friend. FFWCC recommends you flash your lights if you see deer along the road at night to make it less likely they will run in front of you.
Source: http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/local/east-volusia/2011/10/27/caution-urged-for-drivers-during-deer-mating-season.html
