NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — As the holiday travel season approaches, Tennessee drivers are being warned to keep a close eye on the road—not just for other vehicles, but for wildlife, particularly deer.

This time of year is the peak season for deer activity, and accidents involving these animals are a serious concern for drivers.

According to AAA, in 2020, there were more than 6,500 motor vehicle crashes involving deer in Tennessee. Of those, half occurred between October and December, a time when deer are most active and roadways are often busy with holiday travelers.

These crashes are not only dangerous—they’re expensive.

At Childress Collision in Nashville, general manager Charles Childress says his shop sees a noticeable increase in deer-related accidents as the fall and winter months progress.

“You can see this bumper reinforcement. You can see the buckle here. It’s actually bowed back where the deer went into here. It’s got hair left in the latch,” Childress said, pointing to a Subaru scheduled for repairs after a deer collision.

While the vehicle might look like it only needs a new bumper, Childress notes that nearly 25 components could be involved in the repair process.

The cost of such accidents can quickly add up. Childress explains that while a basic bumper cover might cost a few hundred dollars to replace, more serious damage can lead to much higher repair bills.

“It could tear up a $300-$400 bumper cover, or take out the whole front end, depending on the car,” Childress said.

In 2023, the Tennessee Highway Patrol reported that deer-related crashes in the state caused over $67 million in economic costs.

These accidents often result in damaged parts that are expensive to repair, with some parts costing thousands of dollars.

“You could have a $200 headlight, or I have an Audi out here right now where the headlamp is $3,800,” Childress said. “And it has to be programmed to the vehicle once it’s replaced.”

The rise in advanced safety features in newer vehicles has made them safer overall, though more costly to repair after a crash.

Childress notes that almost every vehicle now requires a calibration process after repairs, especially for systems like surround-view cameras, pre-collision warnings, and radar sensors used for adaptive cruise control.

These high-tech systems are crucial for driver safety, but they add to the overall cost and complexity of repairs following a deer collision.

For drivers on Tennessee roads, especially during the busy holiday season, staying vigilant is key.

Deer are most active at dawn and dusk, when visibility is low, and they can appear suddenly, especially in areas near wooded or rural stretches of highway.

Authorities recommend drivers adhere to speed limits, stay alert, and be cautious when driving in areas known for high deer populations.

Do you have more information about this story? You can email me at (kelsey.gibbs@newschannel5.com).

The Tennessee Titans are just 2-7 on the season and are trending toward having one of the top picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, but what will they do in April?

The general consensus is that the Titans should select a quarterback, and there should be plenty of options available for them. This is slated to be a fairly deep quarterback class, so someone should be on the board for Tennessee.

After all, it doesn’t appear that Will Levis is the answer under center.

But is it possible that the Titans go in an entirely different direction?

Joseph Acosta of SB Nation seems to think so, as he has Tennessee selecting Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter with the third overall pick of the draft.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if this pick is a QB if the Titans continue to bottom out, but the Titans can’t bring the QB down,” Acosta wrote. “Carter is a terrifying blend of speed and burst, and he’s still growing into the position.”

It’s true that the Titans need a pass rusher, as they have logged just 18 sacks thus far in 2024. But is that really more of a pressing need than quarterback?

Levis is now in his second season at signal-caller for Tennessee, and things have not exactly gone according to plan for the former second-round pick.

He looked rather pedestrian in nine starts during his rookie campaign, and this season, he has totaled seven passing touchdowns and seven interceptions in six games.

To be fair, Levis’ season has been marred by a shoulder injury, but it’s not like he was lighting it up before the injury, either.

Levis did look decent in his return this past weekend, but it just seems hard to fathom the Titans believing in him long term and passing up a golden opportunity to select a quarterback this spring.

Make sure you bookmark Tennessee Titans on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!

Tennessee vs. Montana: Game information, lineups, notes

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