AAA: November is the peak month for deer-related crashes in Virginia

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) – November is the month when extra deer-related crashes occur in Virginia, in accordance with AAA. Domestically, Chesterfield, Henrico, and Hanover all ranked within the high 10 Virginia localities the place deer are struck.

The rationale why we see these deer-related crashes occurring so typically in November is as a result of that is the breeding season for deer. Male white-tailed deer can be on the seek for their good mate all month lengthy making this an particularly dangerous time for drivers.

Now that the times are shorter and it’s getting darkish exterior earlier, drivers needs to be particularly cautious about deer darting out on the roadway. AAA studies that you simply’re extra more likely to see deer from 5-8 am within the morning and from 5- 8 pm at night time – that’s once they’re most lively.

“We see them near roadways, leaping out into roadways transferring very, in a short time and loads of contact between automobiles and deer on the market which might be very very pricey,” defined Morgan Dean, spokesperson for AAA Mid-Atlantic.

In response to AAA, deer are concerned in additional collisions than another animal and final yr an animal strike declare within the commonwealth averaged about $4,800.

Officers urge you to decelerate when driving in areas the place deer are typically current.

“Darkness makes it a lot tougher to see deer in and alongside the roadway. For drivers actually a possibility to decelerate, use these excessive beams in case you can safely with out flashing them into oncoming visitors. Decelerate going into these curves and be wanting scanning alongside the facet of the roadway for deer. Often, you form of see their eyes gentle up first,” Dean defined.

AAA says that in case you hit a deer it is best to instantly name the police and transfer to a secure location out of the roadway. Additionally, it is best to keep away from making contact with the deer. It might find yourself harming you or going again out into visitors and inflicting extra crashes.

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