Nationwide, the total of deaths and damage caused by deer on roadways is 150 motorist fatalities and about $1.1 billion in vehicle damage, according to a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Cornell University.
"Deer and motor vehicles do not share the nation's highways gracefully or safely," the study noted. "Deer inhabit all of the United States, including Hawaii, where they have escaped from captivity." Furthermore, deer-related crashes are on the rise, as both deer populations and vehicular travel continue to increase.
Although fences and under- and overpasses are the only methods proven to keep deer off the highways, other approaches include herd reduction and better roadway design and maintenance, particularly roadside clearing. A more high-tech solution has been offered by auto makers: equipping cars with infrared technology that can detect deer and other heat-emitting objects on the road.
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