Deer Crash Statistics

8/14/2019 Deer Crash Statistics

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DEER-VEHICLE COLLISIONS (DVC):LESSONS FROM A MICHIGAN STUDY

Krishnan Sudharsan

Public Policy Fellow

Public Sector Consultants

September 29, 2008


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Problem Statement

Over 65,000 deer-vehicle collisions(DVCs) each year in Michigan; > 1million nationally

230% increase since 1982Average cost: $2,300 per crash (AAA MI,

2005)

Total direct costs: $150 million; > $1billion

Indirect costs: health care, missedwork, etc.

Underreporting rate of ~ 50% (Marcoux2005)

On average, 5 human fatalities/yr (~


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2001 DVC Distribution, by County

DVC Distribution

0-500

501-1000

1001-1500

1501-2000

2001-2500


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Mental Model

DEER + LANDSCAPE

DRIVER


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Study Area

Monroe County Rural landscape

Population ~ 150,000Washtenaw County Suburban/rural mix

Population ~ 325,000Oakland County Suburban landscape

Population ~ 1.2 million


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N

EW

S

OAKLAND

MONROE

WASHTENA

W


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Frogger


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Rural landscapes represented by

Monroe County

Fewer DVCs are likely to occuron medium-speed roads (45 to

60 mph) than high-speed roads(> 60 mph)

Be alert for deer, especiallywhile driving through uplanddeciduous areas

Watch for changes in landscapestructure (i.e., areas thatrovide cover for crossin ,


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Example


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Greater number of DVCs arelikely to occur on medium-speed

(45 to 60 mph), > 2-lane roadsthan high-speed (> 60 mph), >2-lane roads

Watch for deer when passingthrough agricultural areas andupland openland areas (grasses,

forbs, high nutrition)

Mixed landscapes represented by

Washtenaw County


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Traffic volume is so high that fewoptions exist to reduce total

number of DVCs Greater number of DVCs are

likely to occur on medium-speed(45 to 60 mph), > 2-lane roadsthan high-speed (> 60 mph)

Be alert for deer at all times, butespecially in agricultural andu land o enland areas

Suburban landscapes represented

by Oakland County


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Seasonal variation in DVCs in Michigan

(1999-2001)

0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

Septembe

r

October

Novembe

r

December

NumberofDVCs

.


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What to do if a deer runs in front of

your vehicle?

Dont swerve

Brake firmly if there are no

vehicles behind youHold on to the steering

wheel

Stay in your lane

Bring your vehicle to a

controlled stop


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The French Solution


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Acknowledgements

Dr. Shawn Riley, Advisor, MSU

Mark Coscarelli, Vice President, PSC

Jeff Williams, Senior Vice President,

PSC

April Bennett, MUCC

Donna Stine, MUCC


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Thank You

Deer Crash Statistics

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