South Dakota Deer- Vehicle Collision Data Art Smith Dept. of Game, Fish & Parks 523 E. Capitol Ave, Pierre

25% of all SD crashes from caused by hitting a wild animal

South Dakota is not alone! Estimated 5-year increase in regional deer complaints – AFWA, 2004

The human population is increasing The human population is increasing Number of registered vehicles is rising Number of registered vehicles is rising Number of total miles traveled is rising Number of total miles traveled is rising Number of rural miles traveled is rising Number of rural miles traveled is rising Deer-Vehicle crashes occur when deer & vehicles try to occupy the same place at the same time So even if deer populations are not increasing, the probability of deer- vehicle crashes will

Utah example: average vehicle damage costs due to deer collisions Along with increasing probabilities of deer-vehicle collisions is an increase in vehicle repair costs

94.7% of all DVC result in no human injuries 94.7% of all DVC result in no human injuries –2.2% possible injuries –1.8% bruises and abrasions –1.2% broken bones & bleeding –0.04% fatal 97.9% of all DVC do not result in hospitalization 97.9% of all DVC do not result in hospitalization Average hospitalization cost $3,470 Average hospitalization cost $3,470 Medical costs associated with deer- vehicle collisions are also important Utah, DVC data

GFP & DOT combine for carcass removals GFP & DOT combine for carcass removals SDARS collected by law enforcement SDARS collected by law enforcement Mapping of carcass and accident report data Mapping of carcass and accident report data Annual press releases & DMS sign warnings Annual press releases & DMS sign warnings DVC Stakeholder Group DVC Stakeholder Group –examine mapping data –develop public awareness campaigns  state level  local level So what are South Dakota state agencies doing about deer-vehicle collisions?

Mapping – data sources: Mapping – data sources: –Carcass removals –South Dakota Accident Reporting System Public Awareness Campaign Public Awareness Campaign –news releases / roadway signs / interviews –“local” news info Mapping & Public Education

Mapping - carcass collection data

Contractor’s name Contractor’s name Date of pick-up Date of pick-up Location (highway, mrm) Location (highway, mrm)  UTMs Species Species Sex Sex Date of complaint Date of complaint Flagged or not flagged Flagged or not flagged Mapping - carcass collection data

How severe the problem is How severe the problem is How many accidents are occurring How many accidents are occurring Rough idea of when the accident occurred Rough idea of when the accident occurred –season Mapping - carcass collection data

Codified law required citizen reporting to law enforcement of accidents involving at least 1 motor vehicle within a trafficway –causing fatality –injury, or –property damage of $1,000 to 1 person or $2,000 per accident –SDCL , , – Mapping - South Dakota Accident Reporting System

How severe the problem is, risk for humans and deer How severe the problem is, risk for humans and deer How many accidents are occurring How many accidents are occurring How severe the accidents are How severe the accidents are who is involved who is involved –season –time of day –age/sex of driver Mapping - South Dakota Accident Reporting System

Carcass removal data Carcass removal data –12,000 annually –92% on state / interstate highways only South Dakota Accident Reporting System South Dakota Accident Reporting System –5,000 annually reported due to “wild animal” –95% wild animal due to deer –statewide reporting –minimum damage reporting level Mapping

Find locations or road sections w/ higher than average deer-vehicle collisions Find locations or road sections w/ higher than average deer-vehicle collisions Prioritize these areas by degree of severity Prioritize these areas by degree of severity Use habitat modeling and/or expert opinion to precisely locate successful and unsuccessful crossings by deer Use habitat modeling and/or expert opinion to precisely locate successful and unsuccessful crossings by deer Consider variety of tools to reduce deer- vehicle collisions Consider variety of tools to reduce deer- vehicle collisions Mapping

traffic patterns traffic patterns seasonality seasonality time of day time of day road characteristics road characteristics surrounding land use surrounding land use deer movement patterns deer movement patterns topography topography Deer-vehicle collision reduction inputs

standard deer crossing signs standard deer crossing signs enhanced deer warning signs enhanced deer warning signs animal detection systems animal detection systems wildlife warning mirrors/reflectors wildlife warning mirrors/reflectors exclusionary fencing exclusionary fencing wildlife under- & overpasses wildlife under- & overpasses education education Deer-vehicle collision reduction tools

Provide “hot spot” location information Provide “hot spot” location information –direct mitigation efforts –direct public awareness efforts Provide evaluation process for mitigation techniques Provide evaluation process for mitigation techniques Provide guidance for response to public inquiries about deer-vehicle collisions Provide guidance for response to public inquiries about deer-vehicle collisions Provide roadway designers knowledge to make safer roads Provide roadway designers knowledge to make safer roads Provide wildlife managers information on deer movement & potential mitigation techniques Provide wildlife managers information on deer movement & potential mitigation techniques Mapping

Mapping - carcass collection data

Annual News releases Annual News releases –drive slower, especially at dawn & dusk –be on the lookout for deer –don’t swerve, hit deer instead Roadway warning signs Roadway warning signs –"Watch for deer on roads" –"Watch for deer crossing the road" “Deer-vehicle Collision Awareness” month “Deer-vehicle Collision Awareness” month –statewide –local awareness programs Public Education

Wildlife & roadway safety professionals are: Wildlife & roadway safety professionals are: –objective –make right decisions based on science –if everyone listened we’d be all right However, a person’s decision making influenced by: However, a person’s decision making influenced by: –prior experience –social pressure –intuition –other factors Examples – seat belt use & deer whistles Examples – seat belt use & deer whistles Public Education

Public education will be a big part in reducing deer-vehicle collisions Public education will be a big part in reducing deer-vehicle collisions –the public doesn’t naturally listen to experts Public relations & education will take the forefront in reducing deer-vehicle collisions Public relations & education will take the forefront in reducing deer-vehicle collisions We need to understand the difficulties we will encounter We need to understand the difficulties we will encounter Public Education

4 general action items: 1.Increase intra- and inter-agency coordination with respect to DVCs – develop state- and/or agency-based committees or coalitions. 2.Increase awareness of the DVC issue through a variety of activities – provide correct DVC messages to the appropriate audience. Conclusion – 2005 deer-vehicle crash reductions strategic agenda

4 general action items: 3.Consistent DVC-related data collection – carcass collection & accident reporting. 4.Promote the development, evaluation, and/or implementation of potential and existing DVC countermeasures – add to the limited knowledge base of the potential ecological and safety impacts of these countermeasures. Conclusion – 2005 deer-vehicle crash reductions strategic agenda