NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. —This time of year marks the period when vehicle-deer collisions increase, and Kansas roadways are no exception.
"We're just reminding people to really be aware that deer are out and about," said Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas. "It can happen any time. You may find them on the road at any time of the day, but especially during dawn and dusk hours, when they are more active."
If you see one deer, expect others, as deer seldom travel alone.
"It can be a very dangerous situation and also a costly one," Steward said. "Data collected by the Kansas Department of Transportation indicates that in 2021, six people were killed and more than 600 were injured in collisions involving deer."
The average cost per claim when insurance was involved was nearly $6,100.
"If a deer enters the roadway in front of your car, it's best to hit the animal and not swerve to avoid it," Steward said. "We often find that the more serious crashes occur when you swerve to miss the deer. You could potentially lose control of your vehicle, leave the roadway, end up in a ditch or veer into oncoming traffic. It can be particularly dangerous if you swerve to avoid the animal. I know it's the natural instinct to try not to hit the deer, but in many cases, it can cause an even worse outcome if you do that."
Anyone involved in a collision with a deer resulting in personal injury or property damage that totals $1,000 or more is required to immediately report the incident to the nearest law enforcement agency.