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MISSISSIPPI REMAINS A TOP TEN STATE FOR DEER COLLISIONS
New State Farm® data ranks Mississippi 10th nationally in deer collisions.
Jackson, MS (September 21, 2016) — Mississippi drivers are more likely to collide with a deer than they were last year, according to new claims data from State Farm. The odds drivers will hit a deer in Mississippi are 1 out of 87 drivers, well above the national odds of 1 in 164. Over the past year more than 22,700 claims have occurred from deer collisions in Mississippi, which is a 1.1% increase from the previous year.
Using its claims data and state licensed driver counts from the Federal Highway Administration, State Farm, the nation’s leading auto insurer, estimates the state by state chances of any single American motorist striking a deer, elk or moose.
More 2016 State Farm deer collisions facts:
· Mississippi is ranked 10th in the country for the most deer collisions
· The national cost per claim average is $3,995 down slightly from 2015 when the average was $4,135.
· The months a driver is most likely to collide with a deer in Mississippi, mostly due to mating season are:
· November
· October
· December
· For the tenth year in a row, West Virginia tops the list of states where a collision is most likely with1 in 41 odds.
Avoid becoming a statistic
Injuries, vehicle damage and fatalities all can result from vehicle collisions with deer. In 2013, 191 deaths were the result of collisions with animals, with deer being the animal most often struck, according to the Insurance Information Institute and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. These tips could help drivers avoid a collision:
· Pay attention to deer crossing signs
· Always buckle up, every trip, every time
· Use your high beams, when possible, to see farther
· Brake if you can, but avoid swerving, which could result in a more severe crash
· Remain focused on the road, scanning for hazards, including animals
· Avoid distractions, like devices or eating, which might cause you to miss seeing an animal
· Do not rely on products such as deer whistles, which are not proven effective
· If riding a motorcycle, always wear protective gear and keep focus on the road ahead
And here are some deer facts that all drivers should know:
· Deer are on all roads
· Deer are unpredictable
· Deer often move in groups
· Deer movement is most prevalent in the fall
· Dusk to dawn are high risk times
“There is an increased risk of a collision with deer around dawn and dusk, and also during the fall breeding season,” said State Farm spokesman Roszell Gadson. “We encourage drivers to be aware and on the lookout at all times, because you never know when you may need to react to a deer or other obstacle that may unexpectedly be in your path.”
For more information about additional states go to our online newsroom at this link.
Contact Public Affairs at (770) 243-9049 to coordinate local media interviews in your market.
Methodology:
Using its claims data and state licensed driver counts from the Federal Highway Administration, State Farm, the nation’s leading auto insurer, calculates the chances of any single American motorist striking a deer, elk or moose during the time frame of July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016 in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The data has been projected for the insurance industry as a whole, based on the State Farm personal vehicle market penetration within each state. The State Farm data is based on comprehensive and collision claims only. Claims involving policyholders with liability insurance coverage only are not included.
