Where does the expression “A Deer In The Headlights” come from?  Its meaning comes from the fact that when deer are in the darkness and then a car’s headlights suddenly shine on them, they are momentarily blinded by the light.  This sudden blindness stuns them, rendering them too terrified to move.  Thus, they are paralyzed, and their motionlessness makes them more likely to be hit by your car.  In their blindness and fear they are unable to run.  

Deer generally are most active between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., which puts them in complete darkness during the Fall and Winter months.  Motorists therefore should use the high beam headlamps as much as possible, and be aware that if one deer is seen there are likely more deer nearby as they travel in herds.

In Ohio, the state recorded a 2.3 percent increase in deer-vehicle crashes in 2009.   Nationally, State Farm Insurance Company, based in Illinois, said its data shows that the number of collisions between deer and vehicles has increased 10 times over the 2 percent increase in miles driven by U.S. motorists in the past five years. 

The Ohio Department of Public Safety reported that there were 25,146 deer-vehicle crashes in 2009, up from 24,590 the previous year.  But both of these years were down from the number of 26,304 deer-vehicle crashes reported in 2007.  There were four fatalities reported in Ohio last year that occurred from deer crashes, and 1004 injuries.  

State Farm stated that for the fourth year in a row, West Virginia topped the list of states where a driver is most likely to hit a deer; in West Virginia a driver has a 1 in 42 chance of a collision with a deer over the next 12 months.  Iowa is next on the list with a 1 in 67 chance of a driver colliding with a deer; Michigan is third with a 1 in 70 chance; South Dakota is fourth with a 1 in 75 chance; and Montana is fifth with a 1 in 82 chance.  The least likely place to hit a deer is in Hawaii where the chances are 1 in 13, 001. 

But, wherever you are in the world and are driving, be on the alert for deer.  I know there’s a deer crossing sign just a mile or so south of my residence.  I haven’t seen any deer yet, but whenever I drive that road and I see that sign, I keep my eyes peeled.  

Readers may write to writer Lonce LaMon at lonce@adjustercom.com