Deer-vehicle collisions declining in SC

The deer that crashed into his pickup truck last fall came out of nowhere for veteran hunter Sam Geddings of Red Bank.

But collisions like the one that Geddings suffered near Swansea are starting to decline across South Carolina, records show.

Drivers and insurers hope that trend continues into the fall, when crashes are more likely to occur as deer mate.

There were 2,206 crashes last year, more than 200 less than in 2012, a report from state public safety officials shows.

The reduction is continuing this spring with 375 collisions reported in the three months ending June 30, 31 fewer than in the same period in 2014.

The reduction in collisions largely stems from fewer deer roaming South Carolina, state natural resources officials say. There are about 750,000 deer today compared to more than 1 million 15 years ago, officials estimate.

State officials say other factors include:

▪ More hunting allowed.

▪ Increased predators, mainly coyotes.

▪ Changes in habitat.

But the problem persists particularly in areas with steady development that is turning farms and forests into homes and stores, one expert said.

Collisions remain common on the “the fringes of suburbs,” state deer biologist Charles Ruth said.

Creek bottoms and areas where farm fields blend into forests are prime spots for deer to cross roads, particularly at dawn and sunset during prime commuting times, he said.

Diamond-shaped signs with the outline of a deer appear on roads where crashes have occurred to alert drivers to be on the look-out.

While collisions are down, the cost of repairs is rising.

Vehicle damage typically costs $3,000 to fix, according to the South Carolina Information News Service. That’s nearly double what it was in 2002.

The bill was higher for Geddings, who paid slightly more than $4,000.

But it hasn’t stopped the 73-year-old from continuing to enjoy a sport he has taken part in since he was a teenager.

“I was back at it again,” he said. “It didn’t slow me.”

This story was originally published July 25, 2015 at 9:00 AM with the headline "Deer-vehicle collisions declining in SC."