Deer Collisions Spiking

Try not to bump into Bambi next month.

Motorists are three times more likely to run into a deer in November than in any other month, according to research compiled over the past five years by the Highway Loss Data Institute.

Last year, those run-ins killed 223 people, not just the deer.

“Urban sprawl means suburbia and deer habitat now intersect,” said Kim Hazelbaker, a senior vice president of HLDI, which is an arm of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

More important is the fact that November begins breeding season. After waiting 12 months to mate, deer have does and bucks on their minds, not Impalas and Mustangs.

But don’t put all the blame on Bambi.

HLDI figures show that in fatal accidents caused by striking deer, 60% of the victims were not wearing seat belts, and 65% of those on motorcycles were not wearing helmets.

HLDI says the worst times for potential collisions are night, dusk and dawn, and on roads posted with 55 mph speed limits.

“The caution flag is out,” Hazelbaker said.

The states to be most watchful in are Texas, with 17 deaths from deer run-ins last year, Wisconsin (15), Michigan (11), Iowa (11) and Ohio (10).

Check out the Today Show segment on the phenomenon that aired this morning. One motorist had to have major reconstructive surgery due to a crash.