Texas has twice as many motorists killed in vehicles colliding with wild animals than any other state, the Insurance Council of Texas (ICT) reports. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), more than 5,000 vehicle/animal crashes occur annually on Texas highways and on average, 17 people are killed every year in these crashes.
Most of the accidents involve deer and the onset of the deer hunting season which is already underway becomes a peak time when deer are crossing Texas roadways and causing major accidents. It’s especially dangerous for motorists not wearing seat belts and motorcyclists not wearing helmets, the ICT says. Crashes with deer occur most frequently in rural areas, on roads with 55 mph or higher speed limits and in darkness or at dusk or dawn.
Data from the IIHS shows more than 1 million deer/vehicle collisions occur each year in the U.S. resulting in more than $1 billion in vehicle damage. Many animal/vehicle collisions are unavoidable, but recognizing the danger and being prepared can save lives.