WASHTENAW COUNTY: Commuters need to be aware of car-deer crash threat
Car vs. deer crashes are trending downward in Washtenaw County, but drivers need to be aware of the animals’ presence, especially during rush hour.
The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments released its annual report on car-deer crashes in the region and it shows the county has seen a steady decline in the total number of incidents.
Two communities, Scio and Superior townships, however remain hotbeds of car-deer collisions with both finishing in the Top 10.
Region-wide, there were 5,206 vehicle-deer crashes in Southeast Michigan in 2012, based on crash data received from the Michigan Department of State Police, Criminal Justice Information Center. The results show an overall downward slide for deer crashes, from 6,062 in 2010 to 5,206 in 2012.
In Washtenaw County, the total number of deer crashes has fallen from 1,174 in 2010 to 925 in 2012. In Scio Township, deer crashes have steadily declined as well, from 153 in 2010 to 145 in 2011 and 89 last year.
Despite the decline, Scio remained the top community for deer crashes in 2012. The next highest was Superior Township with 75. Rounding out the top 5 were Sylvan (67), Pittsfield (66) and Webster (62).
Communities with the least total of deer crashes included Dexter and Milan with one each, Barton Hills and Ypsilanti with two apiece and Manchester with three.
Communities seeing an increase included Wesbter, Pittsfield, Superior, Lodi, Saline Township, Salem, Ann Arbor city, Lima and Sylvan townships, Dexter Township and Northfield and Milan.
There were 10,007 crashes overall in Washtenaw County last year, the report stated.
Vehicle-deer crashes accounted for more than 4 percent of all crashes that occurred in Southeast Michigan.
Highlights of the report include:
- Only a single fataltilty was reported from a deer crash last year, compared to eight in 2011. Three of the eight who died were driving motorcycles.
- Oakland County has replaced Kent County with the most vehicle-deer crashes in the state (1,683 or 5 percent of all crashes).
- St. Clair and Livingston counties experienced the highest percentage (18 and 15 percent, respectively) of deer-vehicle crashes (to all crashes) in Southeast Michigan.
- Livingston and Washtenaw counties experienced the greatest decrease in the number of vehicle-deer crashes.
SEMCOG is a member of the Michigan Deer Crash Coalition, now in its 17th year, working to decrease vehicle-deer crashes. This year, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources estimates the deer herd to be 1.8 million.
The coalition notes that deer crashes occur most frequently during October, November, and December; most occur on two-lane roads between dusk (6 to 10 p.m.) and dawn (5 to 8 a.m.).
The coalition notes Deer crashes are costly. In Michigan, deer crashes cost at least $130 million per year; the average insurance claim is about $2,100 in damage, usually to the front end, often leaving the vehicle undriveable.
A safe transportation system helps maximize the movement of people and goods. SEMCOG works with various safety partners to improve traffic safety by increasing education and enforcement. With that in mind, SEMCOG recommends these safe driving tips when encountering deer:
- Buckle up, stay alert, and slow down, remembering that safety belts are the best defense in any collision.
- Be alert for deer in the fall, especially at dawn and dusk, and heed deer crossing and speed limit signs, particularly on two-lane roads.
- Do not attempt to swerve out of a lane to avoid a deer. Instead, brake firmly while securely gripping the steering wheel to bring the vehicle to a controlled stop. Then safely steer the vehicle off to the side of the road.
- It’s generally safer to hit the deer than run off the road or risk injuring another motorist.
- More information regarding vehicle-deer crashes is available on SEMCOG’s Web site. Visit the SEMCOG Deer Crashes website at semcog.org/DeerCrashes.aspx.
The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments released its annual report on car-deer crashes in the region and it shows the county has seen a steady decline in the total number of incidents.
Two communities, Scio and Superior townships, however remain hotbeds of car-deer collisions with both finishing in the Top 10.
Region-wide, there were 5,206 vehicle-deer crashes in Southeast Michigan in 2012, based on crash data received from the Michigan Department of State Police, Criminal Justice Information Center. The results show an overall downward slide for deer crashes, from 6,062 in 2010 to 5,206 in 2012.
In Washtenaw County, the total number of deer crashes has fallen from 1,174 in 2010 to 925 in 2012. In Scio Township, deer crashes have steadily declined as well, from 153 in 2010 to 145 in 2011 and 89 last year.
Despite the decline, Scio remained the top community for deer crashes in 2012. The next highest was Superior Township with 75. Rounding out the top 5 were Sylvan (67), Pittsfield (66) and Webster (62).
Communities with the least total of deer crashes included Dexter and Milan with one each, Barton Hills and Ypsilanti with two apiece and Manchester with three.
Communities seeing an increase included Wesbter, Pittsfield, Superior, Lodi, Saline Township, Salem, Ann Arbor city, Lima and Sylvan townships, Dexter Township and Northfield and Milan.
There were 10,007 crashes overall in Washtenaw County last year, the report stated.
Vehicle-deer crashes accounted for more than 4 percent of all crashes that occurred in Southeast Michigan.
Highlights of the report include:
- Only a single fataltilty was reported from a deer crash last year, compared to eight in 2011. Three of the eight who died were driving motorcycles.
- Oakland County has replaced Kent County with the most vehicle-deer crashes in the state (1,683 or 5 percent of all crashes).
- St. Clair and Livingston counties experienced the highest percentage (18 and 15 percent, respectively) of deer-vehicle crashes (to all crashes) in Southeast Michigan.
- Livingston and Washtenaw counties experienced the greatest decrease in the number of vehicle-deer crashes.
SEMCOG is a member of the Michigan Deer Crash Coalition, now in its 17th year, working to decrease vehicle-deer crashes. This year, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources estimates the deer herd to be 1.8 million.
The coalition notes that deer crashes occur most frequently during October, November, and December; most occur on two-lane roads between dusk (6 to 10 p.m.) and dawn (5 to 8 a.m.).
The coalition notes Deer crashes are costly. In Michigan, deer crashes cost at least $130 million per year; the average insurance claim is about $2,100 in damage, usually to the front end, often leaving the vehicle undriveable.
A safe transportation system helps maximize the movement of people and goods. SEMCOG works with various safety partners to improve traffic safety by increasing education and enforcement. With that in mind, SEMCOG recommends these safe driving tips when encountering deer:
- Buckle up, stay alert, and slow down, remembering that safety belts are the best defense in any collision.
- Be alert for deer in the fall, especially at dawn and dusk, and heed deer crossing and speed limit signs, particularly on two-lane roads.
- Do not attempt to swerve out of a lane to avoid a deer. Instead, brake firmly while securely gripping the steering wheel to bring the vehicle to a controlled stop. Then safely steer the vehicle off to the side of the road.
- It’s generally safer to hit the deer than run off the road or risk injuring another motorist.
- More information regarding vehicle-deer crashes is available on SEMCOG’s Web site. Visit the SEMCOG Deer Crashes website at semcog.org/DeerCrashes.aspx.
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