By Wenjing Ding
Published Nov 13, 2023, by Gannett | USA Today Network
There have only been two fatal crashes involving deer in Bucks County over the last six years.
Both happened this year, state data shows. And they both involved motorcycles.
Those incidents — one in Middletown in May and another in Milford in June — though isolated and rare, highlight the danger deer on the roadway present to area drivers.
October through December is the peak season for deer strikes and with Daylight Saving Time ending Nov. 5, drivers are more at risk of deer collisions.
How dangerous are deer collisions?
There have been more than 60 deer-related traffic deaths in the state between 2018 and 2022, according to data from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
In 2022, Pennsylvania reported a total of 5,848 deer-related traffic incidents, according to PennDOT. More than 1,260 of those included injuries and nine people died.
Drivers hit deer 1,086 times on roads in Bucks County between 2018 and 2022, PennDOT says, and Montgomery County saw 959 struck deer in that time frame, with two fatalities — one each in 2021 and 2022.
PennDOT considers a deer-related incident any where a motorist strikes a deer or leaves the roadway to avoid striking a deer.
Additional data from the Pennsylvania State Police indicates a total of 1,912 deer-involved crashes were reported in the first nine months of this year. Bucks and Montgomery counties have seen 73 deer-related crashes in that same time frame, including the two motorcyclist’ deaths earlier this year.
How to avoid deer collisions?
In the United States, over 1.5 million deer-vehicle collisions take place each year, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety estimates. So, how do you avoid striking a deer?
AAA offers these tips:
Stay alert: Be watchful for animals day or night.
Slow down: Reduce speed when wildlife is nearby.
Obey signs: Heed “deer crossing” and animal-related signs.
Beware of herds: If you see one deer, more may follow.
Brake carefully: Slow down, honk your horn, and tap your brakes when avoiding an animal collision.
Avoid swerving: Maintain control if a collision is unavoidable.
Use high beams: Activate high beams to prompt wildlife to move away.
Be aware of peak season: Animal collisions peak between November and December.
Watch for animals dusk to dawn: Be extra cautious during low-light hours.
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