Oh My...Deer!

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Sept. 26, 2011) – Nearly 200,000 deer-car collisions occur annually in Georgia, Michigan, New York and Pennsylvania with the majority of these accidents happening in October and November.  Nationally, deer-car accidents annually cause more than $1 billion in vehicle damages, claim 150 lives and the number of fatalities has been rising since 2000.

“In the fall, deer go into what is known as ‘the rut’ (mating season), when deer increase their activity, expand the area they cover and increase the number of roadways they’ll cross,” says Ron Garner, retired Department of Fish & Wildlife biologist.  “With more deer on the move your chances of encountering them rises substantially.”

“It only takes an instant for an animal to bolt from the brush in front of an inattentive driver, and that could lead to disastrous consequences,” says Joanna Moore, Mercury Insurance chief claims officer. “Mercury wants to educate consumers about the dangers they could face while driving, which will help make roads and highways safer for everyone.  We publish tips at www.mercuryinsurance.com that cover everything from home security to fire safety to deer on roadways.”

Mercury, which has been insuring drivers since 1962, offers these tips to help consumers stay safe and alert to the dangers deer may cause:

·         Deer generally travel in groups, so if one crosses the road, be wary that more may follow.

·         Be especially alert during dawn and dusk.  Deer, like other wildlife, are most active during these times.  Stay attentive and keep your speed down in case you encounter an animal during your commute.

·         If a collision is unavoidable, resist the urge to swerve.  This can mean the difference between repairable body damage to your vehicle and a potentially fatal rollover. 

·         Maintain your vehicle’s headlights.  Use your high beams whenever possible to help spot roadside wildlife.

·         Don’t text while driving.  Texting while driving reduces your reaction time equal to having a blood alcohol content of .08 percent, which would make it illegal to operate a vehicle in every state.

·         Buckle-up. 

If you do collide with a deer, remain calm. Try to move your vehicle to the side of the road, turn on your hazard lights and call the Georgia State Patrol.  Additionally, do not attempt to remove the deer from the road unless you are certain it is dead; deer can be very dangerous when injured.  Stay clear until help arrives.

For more driving and insurance tips visit:  www.mercuryinsurance.com

ABOUT MERCURY INSURANCE (www.mercuryinsurance.com)

Mercury Insurance (MCY) is a multiple-line insurance organization offering predominantly personal automobile and homeowners insurance through a network of independent agents in California, Florida, New Jersey, Texas, Arizona, New York, Georgia, Oklahoma, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, Virginia and Pennsylvania.  Since 1962, Mercury has specialized in offering quality insurance at affordable prices - core values that distinguish Mercury in the marketplace.