Deaths jump nationwide during deer rutting season

The Associated Press

10/30/2008

RICHMOND, Va. — The number of people who die when their vehicles crash with deer and other animals is on the increase across the nation.

A report by the Virginia Highway Loss Data Institute says four people died in such crashes last year compared to one such death in 1993.

In neighboring West Virginia, two people died in 1993 and two in 2007.

Nationally, the number has more than doubled over the past 15 years, according to the auto insurance-funded highway safety group.

It blames urban sprawl overlapping into deer habitat.

In Virginia, 41 people died in deer crashes during that 15-year period compared to 36 in West Virginia.

The study found that fall breeding season is a prime time when cars and animals collide. Insurance claims are three times higher in November than from January to September.