WASHINGTON — Fatalities from vehicle crashes with deer and other animals have more than doubled over the past 15 years, according to a new study by an auto-insurance-funded highway-safety group.
The report by the Highway Loss Data Institute found that 223 people died in animal-vehicle crashes last year, up from 150 in 2000 and 101 in 1993.
Since 1993, Texas had the most deaths from such crashes, with 227, followed by Wisconsin with 123 and Pennsylvania with 112. Colorado had 62.
The Highway Loss Data Institute and its sister organization, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, looked at both insurance claims and federal crash data. According to the report, most accidents involving animals are with deer.
“Urban sprawl means suburbia and deer habitat intersect in many parts of the country,” said Kim Hazelbaker, the Highway Loss Data Institute’s senior vice president.
The study found that insurance claims for crashes with animals are three times higher in November — mating season — than from January to September.
Anne McCartt, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s senior vice president for research, said there are no proven countermeasures, other than fencing, “which is extremely expensive and not practical.”
