Download - 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