Critter Crossing: How to Avoid Wildlife Collisions This Fall

By theadmin

Fall is a busy time for the wild critters of Texas. It’s when animals begin preparing for winter, storing up provisions, or feeding to gain weight before winter. It is when deer rut, squirrels bury nuts, and raccoons grow thicker fur and search for dens in hollow trees or rocky crevices. It is no surprise, then, that with all this busy activity, fall is also when the amount of animal collisions rise. November’s animal-strike-related claims are double the monthly average and nearly 3.5 times higher than August’s, according to data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The rise in animal strikes during fall is a result of both increased animal activity and shortened days, which means more driving in the dark. Follow these tips to reduce the risk for both you and them.

1. Use Your Lights

Use headlights after dusk and brights when alone in deer- populous areas. Deer are most active between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. and at dawn.

2. Brake Head-On

20% of crash deaths related to animal strikes happen when drivers swerve off the road to avoid a collision and then hit an object such as a tree or a telephone pole. If you can, brake and offer the animal the opportunity to head for the side of the road.

3. Slow Down

Driving at high speeds increases the chance of a severe animal strike and leaves you with less time to react if you come upon an animal in the road.

4. Stay Aware and Alert

Keep an eye out for deer-crossing signs, areas where woods come up close to the road, or any signs of animal activity or remains on the side of the road. If you see one deer, there are likely others nearby.

5. Buckle Up

Most deaths in animal-vehicle collisions involve people who were not wearing their seat belts. Motorcyclists account for more than half the fatalities, according to the IIHS. The safest way to prepare for an animal strike is to make sure you are always wearing your seat belt.

Wildlife Trespassing

The highway isn’t the only place where you’re likely to cross paths with wildlife this time of year. As temperatures drop, the warm, tucked-away corners of your home offer attractive places to shelter. As creatures prepare for winter, they may find a cozy spot to hide in your garage, attic, gutters, or even under the hood of your car. Once animals find their way in, they can be difficult to remove. Here are some ways you can keep your home critter- free and help the wild things of the world stay safe.

Keep pet food, bird feeders, and trash out of reach.
Build a fence around your garden.
Seal any easy access points on your property — particularly around air vents, chimneys, under the porch, or through a garage door.
Don’t keep wood, brush, or debris piles near your home. They may offer a temporary shelter before animals look to your home for a more permanent winter abode.

Contact your Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Agent to learn about collision coverage and other ways you can stay covered on the roads this season.