MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Most Minnesotans have a minimum of one story about hitting or virtually hitting a deer whereas driving.
There are extra deer automobile collisions in November than some other month.
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Previously 5 years, there have been over 6,200 deer-related crashes in Minnesota, although an estimated two-thirds go unreported.
“We nonetheless see deaths sadly from deer crashes. We’ve seen 18 within the final 5 years from deer crashes and 15 of these have been motorcyclists,” mentioned Gordon Shank, Public Info Officer for the Minnesota State Patrol.
The ‘Don’t Veer for Deer’ slogan nonetheless rings true. State Patrol says to brake as a lot as you may, however don’t swerve when approaching a deer.
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“We at all times inform individuals search for the silhouettes of the deer,” mentioned Shank. “Search for the eyes as they replicate off of sunshine. They’re usually essentially the most busy between six and 9. It’s not only a rural Minnesota factor. We see them within the metro as nicely.”
In case you do hit a deer you may at all times name 911. Ultimately, insurance coverage will probably be a consideration.
“You probably have collision protection, then all you need to pay is your deductible and insurance coverage covers the remaining,” mentioned Mark Fulda, the vp of public affairs for the Insurance coverage Federation of Minnesota. Our state is a top-10 state for car-deer crashes.
“Automotive-deer collision claims are a fairly costly proposition in Minnesota,” mentioned Fulda. “We estimate that we pay about $25 million a yr in claims.”
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