With time change, DNREC urges motorists to watch out for deer crossing roadways – especially at dusk
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control | Division of Fish and Wildlife | Date Posted: Friday, November 3, 2017
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control | Division of Fish and Wildlife | Date Posted: Friday, November 3, 2017
DOVER – With shorter days ahead – especially after the Nov. 5 change from daylight savings back to Eastern standard time – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife reminds all Delaware motorists, especially 9-to-5 workers driving home at dusk, to be alert for deer crossing roadways.
“As we’re heading home, deer are just beginning their peak movement time,” said Emily Boyd, Division of Fish & Wildlife deer biologist. “From dusk to midnight and within a few hours of sunrise are when motorists need to be especially alert and watch for deer on the road. Also, fall is mating season for deer, known as the ‘rut.’ Deer are at their most active at this time, with bucks single-mindedly pursuing does – sometimes right into the path of your car.”
National statistics show that at least half of all deer-vehicle collisions occur the last three months of the year, with the highest number of deer struck on the roadways in November. State Farm Insurance recently reported that motorists made nearly 5,600 deer/vehicle collision insurance claims in Delaware between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017, compared to 4,900 during the same time period in 2015-2016. Delaware ranks 24th this year out of the 41 states included in State Farm’s report on where deer-vehicle collisions are most likely to occur; neighboring Pennsylvania ranks third. Delaware is considered a medium-risk state with a 1-in-132 chance of a collision, compared to the national average of 1 in 162. Average property damage claims in deer-vehicle collisions run $4,179.
Attentive driving is the best way to avoid deer collisions. Keep these tips in mind, as suggested by the Delaware Office of Highway Safety, Delaware police agencies, auto insurance companies, and the Division of Fish & Wildlife:
For more information about white-tailed deer in Delaware, contact the Wildlife Section at 302-739-9912.
Media contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.
Follow the Division of Fish & Wildlife on Facebook, www.facebook.com/DelawareFishWildlife.
Vol. 47, No. 237
-30-
Related Topics: deer, health and safety, wildlife
Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.
Here you can subscribe to future news updates.
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control | Division of Fish and Wildlife | Date Posted: Friday, November 3, 2017
DOVER – With shorter days ahead – especially after the Nov. 5 change from daylight savings back to Eastern standard time – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife reminds all Delaware motorists, especially 9-to-5 workers driving home at dusk, to be alert for deer crossing roadways.
“As we’re heading home, deer are just beginning their peak movement time,” said Emily Boyd, Division of Fish & Wildlife deer biologist. “From dusk to midnight and within a few hours of sunrise are when motorists need to be especially alert and watch for deer on the road. Also, fall is mating season for deer, known as the ‘rut.’ Deer are at their most active at this time, with bucks single-mindedly pursuing does – sometimes right into the path of your car.”
National statistics show that at least half of all deer-vehicle collisions occur the last three months of the year, with the highest number of deer struck on the roadways in November. State Farm Insurance recently reported that motorists made nearly 5,600 deer/vehicle collision insurance claims in Delaware between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017, compared to 4,900 during the same time period in 2015-2016. Delaware ranks 24th this year out of the 41 states included in State Farm’s report on where deer-vehicle collisions are most likely to occur; neighboring Pennsylvania ranks third. Delaware is considered a medium-risk state with a 1-in-132 chance of a collision, compared to the national average of 1 in 162. Average property damage claims in deer-vehicle collisions run $4,179.
Attentive driving is the best way to avoid deer collisions. Keep these tips in mind, as suggested by the Delaware Office of Highway Safety, Delaware police agencies, auto insurance companies, and the Division of Fish & Wildlife:
For more information about white-tailed deer in Delaware, contact the Wildlife Section at 302-739-9912.
Media contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.
Follow the Division of Fish & Wildlife on Facebook, www.facebook.com/DelawareFishWildlife.
Vol. 47, No. 237
-30-
Related Topics: deer, health and safety, wildlife
Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.
Here you can subscribe to future news updates.