Strongsville Urges Caution For Drivers As Deer Get More Active

STRONGSVILLE, OH — Fall brings many delights to Northeast Ohio. Temperatures fall gently into the mid-60s, leaves morph into an array of colors, and the holidays begin in earnest. Unfortunately, fall also means an uptick in animal activity.

"As we get into the fall season, wildlife activity will be picking up speed which means you should slow your speed down and be alert to animals in the roadways — especially because we are approaching mating season for whitetail deer and they'll be on the move," said Strongsville Animal Control Officer Chuck McCleary.

Wildlife can be more visible and frenetic in the fall because animals are preparing for the coming winter months in Northeast Ohio (which could be particularly brutal in 2019 and early 2020). Drivers will want to be more vigilant on roadways, particularly in areas known wildlife crossings.

State Farm Insurance recently looked at the likelihood of hitting an animal while driving. The company found that nationwide motorists face a one in 116 risk of hitting a deer on any road trip.

In Ohio, drivers have a 1 in 102 chance of a collision with an animal. State Farm classifies the Buckeye State as an area of "medium risk." Surrounding states like West Virginia and Pennsylvania were riskier for drivers.

The likelihood of a vehicle-animal collision is based on the insurer's estimate that U.S. motorists made more than 1.9 million animal collision claims from July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2019.