Deer Crashes Rise in South Carolina

(WOLO) COLUMBIA,S.C,–

A new study by State Farms insurance shows the numbers of crashes involving deer have dropped about 4 percent, but in South Carolina the numbers are actually higher.

Local insurance agents say the combination of land clearing, mating season, and hunting season in the many rural areas of South Carolina are all factors.
And even though November is the busiest time of the year for deer collisions, drivers we spoke with say they’re already seeing a lot of deer out and about.

Insurance adjusters say the best way to avoid  a crash is to be aware of your surroundings. Keep an extra eye out between 6 and 9 at night when deer tend to travel most, be alert of areas where they are known to dart out, use high beams in dark areas much as possible. Most importantly, if an accident is inevitable do not swerve to avoid hitting the dear. Insurance agents say doing so could put you at greater risk of losing control of your vehicle and hitting oncoming traffic, a tree or running off the road altogether.

According to these latest numbers every 1 in 92 drivers will hit a deer, so buckle up and stay alert.