"Can We Reduce Car/Deer Collisions?"

Peter Muller
Article from the C.A.S.H. Courier

Winter 2005

Every year, across the nation newspaper articles decry the many deer-car collisions that cause $1.2 billion in property damage, over 110 human deaths, thousands of human injuries, and cause agonizing pain and ultimate death to deer.

In the late fall and early winter when deer are on the move due to the rut and hunting pressure the problem is exacerbated and is often cited as evidence of "overpopulation."

From the perspective of deer, we're really dealing with an overpopulation of a certain species of primate that segments natural eco-systems with roads on which they speed, pops up barriers and plasterboard – and then chases and shoots at deer during their mating season sending them fleeing across highways and smaller roads.

Aside from the cost to the human party in a deer car collision, the outcome to the deer is almost always a painful, often protracted death.

We as animal advocates are in agreement with the community at large that measures should be taken to end or drastically reduce this horrendous situation.

Deer car collisions should be reduced – but the usual answer is to reduce the deer population through hunting. This ruse, as we know, is not going to work since hunting does not reduce the overall deer population in a region – in fact it is counter-productive in that it usually will increase the size of the regional deer herd.

An estimated 1,500,000 deer-vehicle collisions occur annually nationwide. Of those 70% - 80% occur between dusk and dawn.

Communities have to be willing to undertake pro-active measures to reduce deer-car collisions along its roads.

In several states the Department of Transportation (DOT) has investigated, installed and found a promising and cost-effective method that has reduced night-time deer-car collisions dramatically in many locations: Strieter-Lite reflectors.

This patented system of reflectors and installation methodology demonstrates it can reduce night-time collisions by 78% - 90%! This effectiveness is on dark roads where most car-deer collisions occur.

The methodology and concept are straight-forward and explained by this diagram.