During the recent 12-month period between July of 2020 and June of 2021, similar scenes occurred an estimated 2.1 million times across US roads (7.2% more than in the previous twelve months) according to an annual analysis by State Farm, the leader auto insurer in the United States.

Crashes between motor vehicles and animals happen in every state and all year round, yet the data confirms that the most dangerous months for animal collisions are November, October and December, in this order, and just like in the previous 12-month period.
 

Different points of view

From a geographical perspective, the top 5 states in terms of animal collisions were: Pennsylvania (with 166,404 estimated auto insurance claims filed for the entire industry), Michigan (132,387), Texas, where the estimated total number of animal strike claims (131,373) grew 19% since the previous period, California, where the claims number (104,767) exploded by a 65% compared to the previous 12-month period, and North Carolina (98,409).

Interestingly, looking at the likelihood that drivers have of hitting an animal renders a different ranking: it turns out that West Virginia leads the nation in this type of risk (1 in 37 chance), followed by Montana, where the chances of hitting an animal (1 in 39) grew 17% since the previous period, South Dakota (1 in 48), Michigan and Pennsylvania (both, with 1 in 54 chance).

Compare that to what happens in the District of Columbia, where it is estimated that less than one thousand animal collisions took place during the recent 12-month period observed, and where drivers have a much lower probability of 1 in 569 of hitting an animal.

The two different types of state rankings differ because for the likelihood of animal collisions ranking, both the number of license drivers and the total number of animal collisions in each state affect the calculation, while for the claims ranking, only the first variable (estimated number of industry claims) matters.

Many times animal collisions end up in road kills, and often in injuries or even deaths of drivers and passengers. From a material perspective, the damage to the vehicles can vary wildly, from a scratch or a bump to a car being completely totaled, depending on factors such as the speed at which one is driving or the size of the animal being hit.
 

Biodiversity

“Animal collisions remind us of the intrinsic risk that comes with driving a motor vehicle that has the potential of travelling very fast. Scanning the road while we drive and avoiding speeding, which has been very prevalent during the pandemic, can avoid and reduce the severity of all kind of car crashes, including those where pets or wild animals are involved,” said Operations Vice President Kimberly Sterling, Auto Claims teams lead at State Farm. 

The range of animals involved in auto crashes is extremely diverse. Our claims database for this type of incident might make one think of an inventory of Noah’s Ark. In our files we find chickens, alligators, bats, cows, pigs, armadillos, bears, donkeys, eagles, horses, coyotes, owls, cats, dogs... and the list goes on. And then there’s the “unidentified animals” category: those that drivers were unable to identify at the time of the accidents, often due to how fast everything happened, and those for which claim specialists simply didn’t have more information. However, nationwide, in the recent 12-month period observed, more than half of the time the animal being hit was a deer (an estimated 1.4 million of them), followed by “unidentified animals” (189,715), rodents (110,976), dogs (92,924) and raccoons (58,020).

For the calculation of the industry claim estimates, we took into account the number of animal collisions claims received by State Farm, the company's market penetration (proprietary), and the number of licensed drivers in each state.
 

Prevent as much as you can

Speeding has been one of the most dangerous phenomenons during the Covid-19 pandemic, with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) calling 2020 the deadliest year (for humans) on highways in more than a decade. Similarly, speed could also be a factor behind the staggering animal collision statistics and their recent increase.

Here is a list of 10 tips that could help you reduce the odds of going through the experience of hitting an animal with your motor vehicle.

• Slow down, especially if you see an animal close to the road.
• Stay alert. Scan the road for animals day and night, both in the countryside and in the city, and pay attention to “deer crossing” and other animal signs.
• Reduce distractions. Put the cell phone away. It can help you avoid injuring motorcyclists, bicyclists, pedestrians and animals too.
• Brake as necessary. If you can avoid hitting the animal, reduce your speed, honk your horn and tap your brakes to warn other drivers.
• Don't swerve. If a crash with an animal is inevitable, maintain control of your vehicle and don't veer off the road.
• Use high beams. Flicking your high beams on a deer may cause the animal to scurry away.
• Be aware of peak season. Deer crashes happen most often during October through December, which is hunting and mating season.
• Be mindful of meal time. Watch for animals on the road between dusk and dawn.
• Watch for herds. If you see one deer, there are probably more nearby.
• Speak with your State Farm agent about comprehensive coverage, which typically covers repairs for collisions with animals, after your deductible.

If despite all of this you hit an animal, take a deep breath. Make sure you and your passengers are well. Call 911 if the animal is large and still there after you hit it. Check if your vehicle is drivable. When safe to do so, take pictures and, if needed, you can file a claim in multiple ways.

Finally, if you had children with you in the vehicle when the crash with an animal occurred, take a few moments to talk about what happened. Allowing emotions to be expressed, instead of putting them under the rug can go a long way, and acknowledging that driving always comes with risks may be very helpful for everyone for years to come.

From the outside, life for the Clevelands seems normal...

They’re a hardworking, active family who love spending time together. John’s a police officer, his wife Jodie’s a dental hygienist. Their kids are full-time students. But peel back the layers and you’ll discover, this family of four was once a family of five...

The year was 2012.

John, Jodie and their three children Katie (age eight), Gavin (age five) and Olivia (age three) were en route to a local restaurant. Out of the corner of her eye, Jodie saw a brown car traveling fast. So fast, it accelerated through the westbound lanes of traffic, bypassing a line of idle cars. The vehicle sped forward…heading straight towards them.

“I just braced on the steering wheel and closed my eyes. I knew we were going to get hit,” said Jodie.

In a matter of seconds, life for the Clevelands changed forever... 

...Their youngest child Olivia, had been killed by a drunk driver.

“This pretty, vibrant, funny, always happy little girl was now lifeless,” John spoke softly.

The days turned into months. The months to years...

While their physical injuries have healed, John, Jodie and their remaining children - Katie and Gavin say the emptiness of losing Olivia will never subside.

“Someone’s senseless act took our daughter, and now we live with that pain every day,” said John.

“Many nights I lie awake wondering what Olivia would have been like, what her interests and passions would be if she were still with us.” said Jodie.

"We can do more."

In spite of the heartache, John, Jodie and their children have chosen to honor Olivia’s legacy by speaking out. They’re sharing their story publicly to promote smart decisions, sober driving and safer roads.

“It’s not the same until you live it, see it, breathe it,” said John. “If we can make it personal…touch them with our message….maybe just maybe they’ll get the point. We can do more. We can prevent future tragedies from happening.”

State Farm is the largest insurer of cars and homes in the U.S.

“The Board of Directors welcomes State Farm Board representatives Scott Winn, Small Business Insurance Loss Control Administrator, and Liz Pulver, Transportation Safety Research Senior Program Manager, to NETS,” said Terry Thomas, NETS Board Chair and Global Director of Health & Safety Technology Solutions, UPS. “State Farm is a well-recognized brand that has a long history as a safety pioneer since being founded in 1922 through their efforts to protect customers and communities from the risks of everyday life at home and on the road. Collectively, the NETS Board of Directors could not be more pleased, and we look forward to collaborating with Scott and Liz as we work to reduce risk and save lives.”

“State Farm is excited to join NETS’ Board of Directors and looks forward to partnering with other respected companies to improve road safety for employees and motorists,” Scott Winn said. “Our commitment to the safety of all road users drives State Farm leadership participation in organizations like NETS,” Liz Pulver added.

NETS’ Board of Directors members are comprised of public and private sector leaders with a commitment to road safety. They are senior level leaders who promote NETS’ mission and represent businesses and organizations that have created a proactive safety culture by promoting traffic safety policies and awareness activities in their workplaces.

Established in 1989, NETS board of director companies are recognized in the U.S. and around the world for advancing road safety. State Farm joins current board members Acertus, Chubb, Consolidated Edison, Hess Corporation, Johnson & Johnson, Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, Toyota North America, and UPS. In addition, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) serve as federal liaisons to the board of directors.

About NETS

NETS is a 501(c)3 public/private partnership dedicated to improving the safety of employees, their families, and members of the communities in which they live and work by preventing traffic crashes that occur both on and off-the-job.

NETS is a member of the United Nations Road Safety Collaboration, which provides guidance to the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 global initiative. For more information on NETS, visit www.trafficsafety.org.

When it came to my baby girl riding the bus to preschool, I imagined so many scenarios – terrible crashes, outlandish kidnappings (I read too many spy novels). But I never imagined the one scenario that has happened TWICE since she started school.

The roads and sidewalks in my subdivision were snow-covered and slippery. It was just after 7 am, the sun was out. My daughter, Morelia, and I slowly made our way to the bus. We were at the end of our driveway – looking both ways, as we have to cross one lane of traffic– when we heard the bus driver blast the horn.

A young driver, clearly reading her phone with her head down, nearly drove straight through the bus’s arm and stop sign.

We all make mistakes. It is so easy to get distracted. But if I wasn’t paying attention, or the bus driver noticed too late, I might not be writing this story. My silly, sweet little girl might not be here at all.

As the young driver looked up at the scene, she saw Morelia and me – and the bus with lights flashing - just feet from her car. She looked mortified. I hope that feeling, that close miss, sticks with her. Her life – not to mention ours - would have changed forever. I hope she will drive safer and be more aware. I hope she will put down the phone.

Not five school days later, similar road conditions and scenario, another driver in my subdivision DOES stop but has an adult tantrum. He’s so angry. The bus driver literally gets out of the bus and stands in front of the car so he cannot drive through the stop sign.

The whole process of the bus stopping, Morelia getting on and settled, and the bus taking off takes three minutes at most even on the iciest of days. I could not believe this person got so angry and animated. Did he really think getting to wherever he was going was so much more important than a child’s safety?

I wondered if my two experiences were common so I did a little digging. In October 2018, an Indiana family’s worst nightmare came true. They lost three children, their six-year-old twin boys and their nine-year-old daughter, in a horrific bus crash.

I cannot even begin to imagine the pain felt since that terrible fall day. That of the parents and family, their town, the bus driver, the school, the list goes on.

The incident drew national media attention. It spawned local legislative and safety discussions, but it seems tragedies like this do not change behavior. Just a few days later, another child was tragically killed. What will it take for the young distracted driver who nearly blew through a bus stop sign and the man who felt his time took precedence over my daughter’s safety to learn the error in their ways?

Every day approximately 84,000 people/cars illegally pass school buses.  That's 15 MILLION violations a year, according to  2018 national survey.

What can we do about it? I’m very fortunate my employer, State Farm, cares about safety. They allowed me to “take over” this site for a day to share my story, and more importantly, share tips that could help prevent future tragedies. Maybe we can’t change everyone’s behavior. But the more we share this story and tips, the more aware people will be. Please join me in sharing this important information.

Bus Safety Tips

For Parents of Riders

• Wait with the little ones at the bus stop. Ensure you and your child are visible at the stop as well.
• Teach your kids to stand - at a minimum - three giant steps from the curb and board one at a time.
• Teach your kids to wait until the school bus completely stops before getting off, and always walk in front of the bus, not behind.
• If your child needs to cross the street after exiting the bus, teach them to take these three actions:
  • make sure the bus driver sees them,
  • take five giant steps in front of the bus,
  • then cross, only when the driver gives them the go-ahead it is safe,
  • And of course, teach them to look both ways before crossing the street.
• Teach your child the importance of behaving on the bus – any distraction can cause the bus driver to lose focus and could result in a crash.

For Drivers

• Be aware of your environment. Know your neighborhood. Be cognizant of kids. Take alternative routes that do not go by schools, etc. if you are in a rush. (Seriously folks, it’s not like you’ve never seen a school bus or it’s all that shocking that a bus is picking up kids at 7:30 in the morning on a Monday!?!)
• Follow the speed limit (and the LAW) especially in school zones and at bus stops.
• Never drive distracted. Please put down your phone. Learn more about the cell phone laws in your state.
• Slow down and prepare to stop if a school bus is flashing its lights. This means the bus is preparing to stop (yellow) or already stopped (red), and children are getting on or off.
• Slow your roll. Three minutes is not worth the potential life-changing consequences for a child, or you.

The shareable, interactive image below shows more tips when you hover over the "+" signs.

These commands are spoken calmly, but confidently by trained driving instructors. Each year their words are heard by thousands of teens learning how to handle driving obstacles like skidding on wet pavement, navigating tight spaces, or tackling speed bumps.

It’s all part of a hands-on learning experience called Driver’s Edge. Founded in 2002, the program based in Las Vegas, Nevada, has touched the lives of more than 100,000 students. Many agree, Driver’s Edge helped prepare them for the road ahead…literally.

This free program is well-known throughout the state and surrounding areas for two reasons: the behind-the-wheel excitement and the celebrity behind the driving program.

Meet Jeff Payne:

Payne is the founder and CEO of Driver’s Edge. With more than 20 years of experience in the motorsports world, he quickly learned it takes strategy and experience to master the road. “These are skills I wanted to share with future drivers,” he explained. “My decision to teach stemmed from a growing number of teen driving crashes, and too many white crosses dotting Nevada highways.”

“Driver's Edge was a passion born out of frustration. I set out to prove that kids aren’t reckless, they just don’t know what they don’t know,” Payne explained.

Since 2002, Payne and his Driver’s Edge team, many of whom are pro-racers, performance driving instructors, and law enforcement officers - spend several weekends a year guiding students through real-life driving situations at local speedways.

Payne begins each session sharing the Driver’s Edge mission: To teach teens and their parents the responsibilities and potential dangers of operating automobiles.

“I speak openly and honestly – and don’t sugarcoat statistics,” he explained. “The fact is, too many young people die in car crashes each year. We have to do better. And that’s why we’re here.”

Back in class, the mood lightens when Payne introduces his team of instructors. Their names, (Barker, Andretti, Germone and Luyendyk) create a buzz among those familiar with NASCAR, Formula 1 and IndyCar as they step in front of the room. “Every pro-racer involved gets involved for the same reason – to save lives,” said Payne.

Student excitement builds as the instructors discuss the next step: getting behind the wheel. This experience takes place on the speedway – mirroring real life situations including changing lanes, panic brake control, skid control and ABS braking exercises.

As students take turns in the driver’s seat, tires can be heard screeching on the track as another group of teens weave through orange cones. Parents watch from the sidelines, some with hands cupped over their mouths, some nervously joking, “We never did anything like that when we were learning to drive!”

Alejandro Ponce attended the session with his mother Donna. “In my Driver’s Ed class back home, I didn’t feel like I had enough time behind the wheel with my instructor,” he said. “That’s why I appreciate this program so much.”

Alejandro’s mother says her two older daughters also went through Driver’s Edge. “I know some students are here because they’ve had a ticket or been involved in a crash. I would put every kid through this program no matter the circumstances,” said Ponce. “Parents can’t teach this kind of defensive driving. It’s invaluable and it’s free.”

16-year-old Peyton Jacoby is a Driver’s Edge program graduate. She echoes the thoughts of her peers. “This helped me become a safer driver. Not long after I got my license, I was driving on the highway in the rain. It was slick and I went into a skid – but I handled it. That day, I thought about what I learned in Driver’s Edge. I know it made the difference,” said Jacoby. Her dad Dave, believes the program should be a requirement in Nevada. “My oldest daughter went through it years ago, and now Peyton. Parents and online driver education courses can only teach so much, but Driver’s Edge takes kids beyond what we can teach behind the wheel.”

As for the program founder – Payne says this kind of learning allows students to experience a real-life situation in a safe environment. “Decisions behind the wheel should result in good outcomes versus bad ones. We can help enforce that.”

Payne credits the success of the program to the Driver’s Edge team and their commitment to saving lives. “It warms our hearts to receive hundreds of messages from parents and students each year thanking us for their Driver’s Edge experiences. We also love hearing stories like Peyton’s. Every message I get is like the first one I’ve ever received.”

Although the mechanics of cars continue to evolve and change, the Driver’s Edge focus, mission and goals remain the same.“We wouldn’t be where we are today if we didn’t connect with these students,” said Payne. “We treat them as people, not kids, and keep their attention by talking to them directly and honestly. All young drivers need this kind of education – it’s creating smart, confident adults – and saving lives.”

State Farm is a proud supporter of the Driver’s Edge program and its commitment to safe driving. To learn more about the program or ways to get involved, click here.

Forty causes will be awarded a $25,000 grant each to assist their communities. Residents of the United States can submit a cause at www.neighborhoodassist.com from June 7-June 21 or when 2,000 submissions are reached, whichever comes first. Ultimately, voters will decide which community improvement projects win big.

State Farm Neighborhood Assist asks individuals to identify causes that would help make their communities safer, stronger, and smarter.

The State Farm Review Committee will then narrow down the field, using a scoring rubric to identify the top 200 submissions.

The public will have a chance to vote up to 10 times a day, every day for 10 days from August 16-August 25 at www.neighborhoodassist.com for their favorite causes from the list of finalists.

The 40 causes that receive the most votes will each win a $25,000 grant. Winners will be announced on Good Neighbor Day, September 28.

Since the program began, State Farm has awarded $5 million to communities across North America, supporting a wide variety of causes, including:

• Fighting childhood hunger
• Helping homeless veterans
• Revitalizing parks
• Improving literacy
• Offering athletic programs for children with disabilities 

“State Farm has a rich history of giving back to the communities where we live and work, helping make life go right,” said Kellie Clapper, State Farm Assistant Vice President. “From identifying an important cause to rallying your community to vote for it, this program is all about neighbors helping neighbors.”

Last year, 72,000 Americans cast 1.8 Million votes for their favorite causes, selecting winners from small towns and big cities. Be part of the movement and submit your cause to improve your community starting June 7.

You might also be interested in:

• A Young Life Lost: A Legacy of Safety
• Things Are Looking Up
• Finding A New Path

 June 20, 2005

 Excitement filled the home of Lourdes Verea and Dr. Jorge Verea. Their  daughter Rebeka just graduated high school, so the family celebrated with a  small gathering at their New Jersey house. That evening, Rebeka and her  buddy took a break from the celebration. Like any other night, they hopped in  the car to  pick up a friend. Little did the Verea’s know, it was the last time they would see their daughter alive.

 The Clock Struck Midnight

 The Verea’s heard a knock at their front door. It came from two police officers  who delivered the devastating news no parent wants to hear. "The driver was  speeding through a 35 mph zone with Rebeka in his passenger seat,” said    Lourdes. “His car slammed into  a turning tractor- trailer. The roof of the car was  sheared off, killing Rebeka  instantly.”

 A Time to Remember

 Thousands attended Rebeka’s wake. Seeing so many people who cared for  their daughter gave the family hope. The Verea’s realized  Rebeka’s life had impacted so many people, and they knew…they must keep sharing her story.

 Days after the service, the family formed the Rebeka Verea Foundation.

“We aim to educate teenagers on the dangers of reckless driving,” said Lourdes. “Our slogan is, Say Yes to Life.”

12 Years Later

The Verea’s are still brought to tears when speaking about Rebeka, but they’re determined to remain positive, to celebrate her life and to appreciate the countless ways their daughter touched the lives of others. 

Every spring, with the support of State Farm, the Rebeka Verea Foundation hosts two educational symposiums in New Jersey – one for educators and one for students. The symposiums feature diverse speakers such as trauma surgeons, car crash victims and police officers.

Each speaker shares their wisdom and experiences with nearly 1,000 students and 500 educators.

Their mission? To educate.

Their goal? To prevent tragedy and promote safe driving.

While the topics are serious, the Foundation also allows time for a light-hearted celebration. The symposium, held in April (the month of Rebeka’s birthday), is a tribute to her life. The students dance, wave glow-sticks, and sing Happy Birthday to Rebeka.

The Work Continues

To keep raising safe driving awareness, a permanent speed machine is stationed at the crash site. A street near the local high school has been named Rebeka Verea Way and Rebeka’s photo and the Foundation logo is displayed on a city police car.Additionally, the Foundation’s annual gala collects money to support Project Graduation in high schools throughout two counties. The event, held on graduation night, is an alcohol and drug free celebration.

“The Foundation is an integral part of our daily lives,” says Lourdes. “Sadly, my daughter died, but we’re working hard to prevent others from experiencing a similar tragedy. We’re always celebrating my daughter’s life. I feel the Foundation is far-reaching and will live on beyond our lifetime.”

Every second counts when first responders race to their destination. But what happens when they arrive at the scene and find someone trapped inside tons of snarled steel? How do they get the people out safely? Extrication.

Often, local fire departments and rescue squads have limited budgets. This means limited opportunities to receive vitally important, hands-on extrication training. State Farm is here to help first responders learn the intricacies of extrication from coast to coast.

Salvage Value in Virginia

In collaboration with the National Auto Body Council (NABC) and Holmatro, State Farm helps provide free extrication training for first responders. This is through NABC’s First Responders Emergency Extrication (FREE) program. The insurance company also provides salvage donations for use at training events. This no-cost training is a rare opportunity for hands-on practice on newer vehicles equipped with sophisticated new materials and technologies.

Two training events took place at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Vehicle Research Center in Ruckersville Virginia. First responders were first trained to cut and extricate passengers properly and safely. This was done in vehicles equipped with new technology. The new technology included high strength steels, sophisticated electronics and multiple airbags. This training is vital to protect not only the lives of crash victims, but also the lives of first responders.

“It’s impossible to measure the true impact when State Farm and our industry participate in programs like FREE. It is a very real way we are able to show our true commitment to building safer, stronger, and better educated communities,” shared Elizabeth Clark, a NABC Executive Board member and State Farm leader.

Crunch Time on the West Coast

Crunch Time is a two day extrication training class every September in Gig Harbor, WA. The training program enhances first responders’ skills at emergencies. This includes events such as vehicle collisions, machinery entanglements, parking garage or bridge collapses, and natural disasters.

Participants rotate through 12 different scenarios. They include ones such as school bus extrication, car vs. semi-truck, and vehicles which have plunged into an irrigation canal. Besides patient extrication, participants experience heavy lift scenarios, learn proper use and handling of hydraulic tools, and stabilization techniques.

Working around air bags, cutting through different metal alloys, and computerized panels found in hybrid vehicles pose different safety challenges than just 10 to 15 years ago. Many safety features drivers expect in their vehicles today add safety risks to rescuers.

That’s why fire departments and responder units from Alaska, California and states as far away as Florida send their personnel to the largest training of its kind – Crunch Time.

More than eighty cars were used in September 2016 training. State Farm is one of a handful of sponsors that provide annual grants to keep the program current with the most up-to-date equipment. Since 2003, State Farm has donated more than 85 vehicles to Crunch Time. This includes a hybrid vehicle that was cut open to display the internal components.

“Crunch Time helps students become safer in their rescue attempts. It also teaches them to be more effective at handling emergencies. And even better at handling traumatic events,” shared Lt. TJ Teeple, Technical Rescue Lieutenant at Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One and Incident Commander for Crunch Time.

Lt. Teeple sums up the benefits of extrication training when he says, “The best measurement of success for the program is when firefighters tell us this training has saved lives.”

“Don’t drink and drive.” “Don’t drive while distracted.” A couple of phrases most teens have heard hundreds of times from parents, at school, or on the news.

Hearing the message is one thing, but what really drives the message home and creates change? In Texas, its peer-to-peer communication. Teens speaking and sharing with other teens, in their own words and ways.

Teens were challenged to convey the importance of practicing safe driving habits through visual arts. The Texas A&M University Transportation Institute’s Teens in the Driver’s Seat organization and State Farm, together, host the poster and video contest. The ninth annual “Driving the Message” event was held at CityLink in Richardson, TX in the spring of 2016.

Today’s youth want to create positive change in their communities, contrary to some opinions of this generation. They are more than just social media and phone obsessed teens. In fact, 23 student leaders from Pennsylvania want their peers to put down those very phones and just drive.

This group of inspiring leaders are part of SADD – Students Against Destructive Decisions, supported by State Farm. In April of 2016, the group attended the Pennsylvania SADD Youth Safety Summit. There they spoke about wanting to prevent tragedies in the form of auto crashes from happening to their peers. They want to make sure new drivers get the experience behind the wheel they need and to help enact policy changes that will keep them safe.

The Pennsylvania high schoolers, equipped with relevant information, candidly discussed teen driver laws, specifically an amendment to a larger distracted driving bill. The bill, if passed, would require a zero tolerance policy for teen drivers when it comes to electronic devices (phones).

After a serious and thoughtful discussion, the teens decided to not only back the bill but share their opinions with decision makers – Pennsylvania state legislators.

The pair had been on the two-lane county road about an hour. A pick-up truck, hauling a large tractor, pulled out from a side road in front of the couple. Jerry easily passed the slower moving vehicle and moved back into his lane. Neither Cheryl nor Jerry saw what was coming next.

“The bike immediately stopped and went up on its front wheel catapulting me onto the highway. I bounced down the road, stopped in the middle and crawled to the edge,” says Cheryl. “Jerry managed to stay on the bike and ended up in the ditch farther up the road.”

“We were running about 55 miles per hour. Just a slow, easy, relaxing pace. As we pulled back into our lane I heard a loud noise,” Cheryl recalls. “The next thing I remember I’m lying in a ditch with a man kneeling over me. He was calling 911. I thought we had blown a rear tire. I had no idea a deer was involved. I didn’t know where Jerry was. I knew I was hurt and I was scared for Jerry. I knew he had to be hurt as well.”

Neither Jerry nor Cheryl saw the deer, a young buck, killed instantly. “The driver we had just passed could see the deer down in the ravine, saw its head come up and knew what was going to happen next,” Cheryl shared.

Cheryl was unconscious for a few minutes and remembers waking up and seeing the blood pooling around her head and face. She remembers being really cold while lying on the side of the road, then saw and heard the person who was calling for help.

Cheryl was treated at a trauma center for a broken nose, deep facial cut, fractured wrist and thumb. Both Cheryl and Jerry were bruised and had road rash. The motorcycle was totaled and both helmets had to be replaced, which is recommended after any impact.

Since the crash Cheryl says “we try to be even more aware of our surroundings.” She suggests drivers, especially motorcycles, always be prepared. “Even a large rock in the road can take you down. A deep pothole, another vehicle or an animal of any size can cause a crash. You can be doing everything right and still, things can go very wrong!”

Cheryl rides to work daily, weather permitting, and she and Jerry enjoy day and weekend trips on their bikes and participate in charity rides.

“My world revolves around motorcycles,” says Cheryl. “I have years of scrapbooks documenting our travels, the places we’ve visited and people we’ve met, including pictures from what happened the day our motorcycle met a deer.”

Check out the state map showing the odds of hitting a deer based on State Farm claim data:

Mairin didn’t speak up for herself; she didn’t stop him from speeding. Her boyfriend walked away from the crash. She didn’t.

Cara Filler, Mairin’s identical twin sister, was in the car behind them. She watched her twin sister, her best friend, die.

That experience ended Mairin’s life and changed Cara’s forever. Since that day, Cara has committed her life to teaching young people that everyday choices count.

“I’m sick and tired of car crashes being the number one killer of youth. Car crashes are preventable,” says Cara. “I want students to realize they don’t have to become a statistic. They can speak up for themselves and their friends in any situation, and maybe by, sharing my story, they will.”

“Cara’s presentation has influenced me in a way that I can feel free to let go of the pain and anger” says Christina Lorenzo, senior at Hialeah Gardens High. “My father had a choice to either get into a boat with his drunk friends or not.”

“There was a fight on the boat resulting in my dad getting thrown overboard and drowning. My dad made the wrong choice,” Christina continued. “I realized now I can also help inspire others to make the right choices by sharing my story.”

Cara is met with a similar reaction after every school presentation. She says she’s part of a club no one should ever want to join — the “I lost somebody I care about” club — and her words have prevented other students from joining that group by teaching them that they always have a choice.

“Her story really hit home,” says Victoria Segovia, senior at Hialeah Gardens High. “My boyfriend sometimes drives fast while I’m in the car. I tell him to slow down. He doesn’t listen to me. After hearing Cara story today, I now know I can speak up. I don’t have to be in the car if he wants to drive fast. I’ll get out of the car and walk home if I have to.”

Speaking at more than 2,100 school assemblies across the world, Cara has empowered over 2 million students to stand up for themselves, their friends, and their beliefs. Her heartwarming, honest and at times hilarious presentation, has changed and saved lives for over two decades.

Most students will remember her for a little dance she performs that may save their lives.

To combat the epidemic killing American teens, Cara founded the Drive to Save Lives Tour, North America’s number one resource for prevention speakers. Like Cara, their mission is to help spread positive messages that put the brakes on the loss of teen lives due to destructive decisions.

Summer is upon us, which means pedestrians, pets, bicycles, and motorcycles are out in force, requiring drivers to be even more cautious. No matter where you're headed, the park close by or family vacation to the beach, it's important to think about everyone who'll be traveling with you, especially children and pets.

As a driver, your responsibility is to know the law and protect those in your vehicle. Infants and toddlers need special care and safety seats are required by law in all 50 states.

Some states even have laws that require your furry friends to be restrained. New Jersey, for example, requires pets to be in a restraint or a carrier in the car. The fine for this violation is anywhere from $250 to $1000. Check with your department of motor vehicles or veterinary office for information on pet restraint in your state.

According to Actress and The Pet Lifestyle Coach®, Megan Blake, "unrestrained pets in cars pose serious potential risks, including becoming a major distraction to drivers; and unrestrained pets can easily be seriously injured, killed or even lost after being thrown from a car."

"Dogs, like children, should never be allowed to ride with their heads out the windows," says Megan. "Flying debris, including bugs, could harm them, and their lungs or ears could be injured from high-speed wind."

Keep SUMMER FUN as a driver by following these tips:

Start your trip with GPS and music set; phone stowed. Keep children and pets content by bringing along a favorite toy, treat, or blanket. Always drive 2N2®- 2 eyes on the road, 2 hands on the wheel.

Understand the laws for passenger restraint. Both child and pet passengers require special attention. No passengers belong on a lap or in the bed of a pick-up truck.

Make sure that the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system (HVAC) of your vehicle is in good condition before your trip begins. This will be especially important for those longer trips. Keep a spare charging cable and car charger in your car for your phone.

Make it a point to pull over if a child or pet needs attention, or if you feel tired or drowsy. This way you keep your eyes on the road.

Eating along the way may be necessary, but you should pull over for this, too. Pack snacks and drinks for everyone, including pets, for convenience.

Remove loose objects from your vehicle, they can become projectiles in a crash, causing injury to people or pets. In the event of a crash, unsecured pets may become frightened and jump from open windows.

Forbid paws and heads from being out the window. This applies to both 2-legged and 4-legged passengers. They could be injured by flying debris.

Understand construction may be underway along your route. Plan ahead and find alternate routes and pet-friendly stops, helping to get you to your destination on schedule.

Never leave children or pets in cars alone for any period of time. Temperatures can rise 19 degrees in just 10 minutes, putting them at risk.

True or false. Car crashes are the number one cause of death for teen drivers? It’s true. In 2014, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety, there were 77,399 vehicle crashes in Texas involving teen drivers.

A Texas Fire Chief has seen this reality up close and personal.

“Every firefighter dreads responding to vehicle crashes involving teens. What a senseless feeling it is to witness death or severe injury that will change that young person’s life forever!” The Woodlands Township Chief Alan Benson said. “Anything public safety can do to decrease vehicle crashes would be a win-win-win for teens, families, and our community.”

So, Chief Benson set about on a mission to save teen drivers’ lives.

To reduce distracted-driving, Chief Benson partnered with the Montgomery County Emergency Communication District. Together, they asked State Farm to help them establish a new program to provide teens with a hands-on experience in a controlled environment. A grant from State Farm would allow the purchase of three pedal karts and a trailer to store and transport them to local high schools and community events.

“With motor vehicle crashes being the leading cause of death for teens in Texas and the United States, I was happy to work with Chief Benson to find a way to impact those numbers,” shared Brent Wroten, a resident of The Woodlands and a State Farm Vice President of Agency. “State Farm has a history of caring and partnering with organizations to encourage safe driving. If this pedal kart experience can save one teenager’s life, it will be worth all of our efforts.”

Each teen gets two turns on the pedal karts, while trying to navigate an orange-coned circuit. First, they get to drive without any distractions or impairments. Then they drive while texting or wearing goggles that simulate blurred vision associated with being drunk or drugged. This experience changes their perceptions of how dangerous it truly is to drive wile distracted or under the influence.

Since November 2015, hundreds of local teens used and learned from the pedal karts. Dakota Richards, a 15 year old sophomore at Willis High School, is one of those students. Dakota who was thrilled to be one of the first to drive the kart shared, “The experience was really cool and I plan to talk with my teacher about arranging to bring it to my high school in the spring so other students can benefit.”

Chief Benson, who jokingly test drove one of the karts at the unveiling, is pleased that for years to come, the karts will build awareness with teens about the importance of driving undistracted and unimpaired.

Nestled in the Wabash River valley of southeastern Illinois, right along the Indiana state border, lies the small town of Mt. Carmel. A community of approximately 7,300 people, it looks like your typical, picturesque Midwestern town.

What truly makes this town unique is how its high school students and teachers rally together with the community to ensure every driver is as safe as possible on the road.

Mt. Carmel High School first participated in Celebrate My Drive (CMD), a State Farm teen driver safety program in 2013. Since then, the high school has won $225,000 in grant dollars to assist with safe driving initiatives and school improvements.

The unified force and CMD success is amazing for a town the size of Mt. Carmel. But to see the true impact of these efforts, one only has to meet one local family.

“Mt Carmel is a very close community, people care about each other. We are very quick to unite when it’s about our kids,” shared Principal Pat Cheesman. “That was true fifteen years ago when Jason lost his life, and it is still true today. Our passion for our kids drives our teen safe driving efforts at the high school.”

June 25, 2001: a day they would never forget

It was a normal summer day at the Ile house. Mom (Cathy), Dad (Curt) and their three sons, Jason, Steven and Michael were going about their day. Cathy fried a chicken and baked a coconut cream pie for dinner, some of Jason’s favorites.

Cathy just got home after running errands and her senses told her something was wrong. Where was Jason? He was baling hay earlier, but should be home by now, she thought.

The phone rings. It’s the local hospital and they tell her come quickly, Jason and Steven were in a car crash. She couldn’t believe it, two of her boys in the same crash!

Cathy and Curt rushed to the hospital. They learned Jason was in a car with three friends (and football teammates). The foursome were driving to town for a bite to eat after bailing hay. On the return trip, the driver accelerated the car to jump a railroad track; an act of reckless driving known as “hilltopping.”

When the car met the gravel road, the driver lost control and sideswiped a concrete bridge abutment. The impact split the car behind the driver’s seat where Jason was seated.

Jason wore his seatbelt, but sustained 21 internal injuries and died. Cathy asked about Steven, only to learn it was a different Steven and not her son.

There was a brief second of relief, but the loss of Jason hit the family hard. Earlier that week, Jason sprained his ankle and didn’t feel up to baling hay. Cathy told him to stay home to rest. But his dad told him to toughen up and go - something he would second-guess forever.

Jason’s lasting impact

Jason was part of a very close class at Mt. Carmel High School. Principal Pat Cheesman’s son was actually part of Jason’s class. With a small school, students are usually close, but this particular class was different.

Pat says the community has never forgotten Jason, and their love for him helps drive their efforts today.

State Farm agent Dan Schonert’s daughter was a classmate and close friend of Jason’s. To this day, every time the agent thinks about the moment they heard about the wreck, he gets emotional.

“We are a small town where you get to know most of the kids as they grow up with your own kids. They become like extended family. We all hurt deeply when one is hurt or loses their life,” Dan shared.

It was difficult but the family honored Jason’s wish to be an organ donor. Because of their brave, selfless decision, an eight year old boy and 10 month old boy received organs that would allow them to live and lead normal lives.

Jason’s death prompted Cathy and Curt to work with legislators to pass (HB4006) a new law which made the crash a felony. Under HB4006, if a person drives a vehicle and uses an incline in a roadway, such as a railroad crossing, bridge approach, or hill, to cause the vehicle to become airborne, the driver commits reckless homicide if he or she unintentionally kills an individual while “hilltopping.”

Moving forward through the pain

When the school and the community got involved with CMD, the family saw it as a chance to get involved too.They shared their story, hoping to prevent other families from experiencing what they did.

Steven, who took his brother’s death very hard, opened up and gave radio interviews about his brother’s fatal crash. Steven also started the Jason Ile Memorial Golf Scramble. The annual event raises money for a scholarship fund that awards $1,000 to graduating seniors with clean driving records.

Today, Mt. Carmel High School continues their push to educate drivers, young and old, about staying safe on the road. As prom and graduation season nears, the school is gearing up efforts to promote safe driving during these major celebrations in a teen’s life.

Safety tips are periodically shown on flat screen monitors throughout the school, as well as emailed directly to student. Students have created billboard messages, public service video announcements, and will soon have a new driving simulator to help new teen drivers.

The community has continued to join in. Schonert and another State Farm Agent, Ken Saxe, participate in many of the school’s activities. Local law enforcement have safety checks around the school to make sure everyone is being safe.

“Dan and I will do whatever we can to promote teen driving safety, to keep our kids safe and our community strong,” Ken said.

The end of the school year is a celebratory time for high school students with proms and graduations. With automobile crashes still the leading cause of death for teens, State Farm wants to help teens and their parents Celebrate Safe, Drive Safe with these tips:

RELATED INFOGRAPHIC: 5 Safety Reminders for Parents of Teen Drivers

My name is Doug Darrell and I’m a retired police officer. One of my hardest duties as a cop was knocking on a door to tell a parent their child had been in a crash and would never return home.

I’m also a dad and when my sons reached driving age, I was scared to death. What if, one day, some police officer came to my door to tell me my son was dead? After confiding this to a friend, that friend challenged me to do something.

At a picnic table in 1999 we created the Streetsafe Lifesaving Driving Experience. It’s a combination of driving exercises and discussions with students and parents about responsibilities, choices, driving behaviors, costs and consequences. The end goal: help save teen lives.

Crashes are the leading cause of death for teens, so I never anticipated any difficulty in convincing others something needed to be done. For years, experts told me “nothing works with teens” and “you’re wasting your time.” Banks turned us down, we couldn’t find insurance, and even willing first responder instructors doubted Streetsafe could get off the ground.

Eight years after the picnic table discussion, we finally had a breakthrough. We were able to get insurance and secure financing. My wife and I invested personal savings, bought vehicles and equipment and held the first Streetsafe session in July 2007…in the rain.

The response from students – from the first session through today – reinforces our belief that we are on the right track.

“It was a great opportunity to bring the real dangers of reckless driving into perspective. Working with the instructors was refreshing,” shared Celestine Eshiet, a student participant. “They were non-judgmental and were really in it to help us appreciate the idea of street safety. I’m now committed to driving safer and watching my speed.”

Parents thank us for teaching them about the financial liabilities they face having an inexperienced driver on their insurance and for reinforcing their own role and responsibilities in their child’s driver education.

“StreetSafe was a fantastic experience for my son! He thoroughly enjoyed it and has a greater respect overall when driving. It also scared him a bit, which is good,” shared Todd Engle, a parent. “He needed to see what overconfidence can do to an inexperienced young driver. I know my wife and I made the right decision enrolling him in the course.”

In 2008, the first full year of StreetSafe, we completed ten hands-on sessions. Today, we have 10 regional teams and over 200 first responders, district attorneys, and judges teaching the program throughout NC.

“Of all the feedback I receive from the community, I consistently hear nothing but praise about this program. Whether it is high school students, college kids, or parents, everyone agrees this is time well spent,” shared Ben David, New Hanover County District Attorney.

Thankfully, State Farm has been along for the ride since 2009, supporting StreetSafe programs with funding and agent volunteers.

In 2015, we completed 153 hands-on-sessions, dozens of alcohol education workshops and high school presentations reaching nearly 12,000 young drivers and their families.

Never in our most far-reaching dreams did we expect to find ourselves reaching more than 80,000 people.

We hoped to find a way to make kids safer and more responsible on the road. We think we have. And if we save just one life, it has been worth it….

John LoCurto knew a boy with polio while growing up in Bergen County, NJ. He wore heavy braces on both legs and struggled to do normal childhood activities.

“He would attempt to ride his bicycle but would fall over with the braces,” said LoCurto. “He was a tough kid. He never accepted help from others, but one couldn’t help but feel sympathy for him.”

This boy was the catalyst for LoCurto to begin his journey to become a doctor.

LoCurto volunteered in the Emergency Room at Hackensack Hospital during high school and became an emergency room technician. While he went to medical school for orthopedic surgery, he soon shifted gears. Dr. LoCurto, MD, FACS realized he wanted to be more involved with saving lives, and changed his career to trauma/critical care.

“Trauma saves lives, it is challenging and has quick rewards,” Dr. LoCurto said. “I can be sleeping in the on-call room and the next thing I know, I’m fighting to save the life of a young adult with a knife stuck in his heart. I’ve seen victims of car crashes, burns, major falls, gunshots and stabbings – every disaster imaginable.”

“Fortunately, we’re making strides and have seen a drop in drunk driving-related deaths” Dr. LoCurto said. “However, more than one person is killed every hour of the day from a drunk driving crash. Every year and a half, we kill more people on our roads than all the American soldiers in the Vietnam conflict. It’s war on our roadways.”

“Drug usage is also a major problem,” he shared. “Drug deaths have doubled over the years and many victims are under the age of 18. I think we should begin developing and presenting educational programs to younger students – maybe starting as early as six years of age to make a long lasting impact.”

When he is teaching medical students and residents he stresses, “It’s a privilege to do what we do. We meet people and their families at their worst and it’s our responsibility to save them. We dive into the middle of people’s lives, are responsible for what’s most valuable to them and hope to hand the loved one back to them in one piece.”

As for the boy with polio? “I get choked up thinking about him,” said Dr. LoCurto, “But he’s doing well. He eventually shed the braces. He now works in construction and is married with children. I’m thankful he influenced me to become a doctor.”

10,000 lives lost. 10,000 families torn apart. In 2014, nearly 10,000 people lost their lives due to drinking and driving crashes, accounting for one-third of all U.S motor vehicle fatalities. (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)

One instant is all it took

It was May 11, 1996. She was 22 years old, working as a pre-school teacher and part-time model with the goal of becoming a cosmetologist.

Phaedra Marriott-Olsen was driving friends home from a concert in Missouri. A drunk driver, a high school principal, crossed the center line and collided with her car.

She spent more than five weeks on life support. Three of those weeks she was in a medically induced coma. Surgeons were able to save her life, but she ended up with paralysis and will spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair.

“In the beginning I was in complete denial,” Phaedra recalled. “I thought I’d be able to get up and walk again.”

While still in the hospital, she started speaking with students about the dangers of drunk driving through an organization called “ThinkFirst Missouri!”

A year after the crash, she volunteered for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), helping to lower the DUI level in Missouri. Phaedra eventually became a MADD employee.

In 2012 Phaedra moved to Tennessee and joined the local MADD. Her assignment was to create an Underage Drinking Prevention Program.

She contacted schools asking for opportunities to speak. Students loved her humorous presentation and were intrigued by her story.

In 2014 alone, she and a small group of dedicated volunteers spoke to nearly 21,000 students – more than any other state in the country. That’s one student every 17 minutes.

She has endured 21 surgeries, but that hasn’t stopped her from what has become her life-mission. And for her extraordinary efforts, she was awarded the 2015 Micky Sadoff Award – Underage Drinking Prevention from MADD National.

“People say you’re so lucky you’re alive, but some days they don’t realize how hard it is” says Phaedra. “Hopefully I can help show people that drinking and driving crashes are 100 percent preventable and there would be fewer families that would know this pain.”

She’ll never forget that phone call

Gwen Edwards knows firsthand the devastating impact drunk driving can have on families. Her son, Louis Jarrod Edwards, was killed November 17, 2010, just eight days after he turned 22.

He was riding in a car in Dallas County, TX with a drunk driver whose blood alcohol level was almost twice the legal limit. The offender was sentenced to 180 days in county jail plus 10 years’ probation.

“No pain compares to the pain of losing a child. Every single day, you relive losing that child,” Gwen said.

Gwen has joined forces with MADD North Texas to share her story with the hope that by telling her story, no one will have to go through what she and her family has gone through.

She speaks to victim advocates, law enforcement officers, and others during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, attends candlelight vigils, and more. She forms Walk teams for 5K Walks in Dallas County and raises money to support MADD’s efforts.

“It’s important to me to be involved with MADD because I want to keep my son’s memory alive,” said Edwards. “This is a great way of bringing awareness to the issue of drunk driving.”

These crashes were 100% preventable

All drinking and driving crashes are 100% preventable. New Year’s Day is the most dangerous day of the year for drunk driving (Mothers Against Drunk Driving).

Remember Phaedra and Gwen and Louis and be safe this New Year’s Day and every day after.

Bloomington, Ill., (Nov. 12, 2015) — Thanksgiving is just two weeks away, and along with the increased holiday travel, turkey and all the trimmings, comes the potential for colder temperatures and the need for a "trunk transformation." Take some time to rid your trunk of "junk" and load the items you'll need in the event of a roadside emergency.

Over 70 percent of U.S. roads are located in regions that receive more than five inches average snowfall annually, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation/Federal Highway Administration. But don't forget warmer climates can experience unexpected winter weather, too. In January 2014 snow and ice crippled the city of Atlanta and trapped thousands of motorists overnight on roads and highways.

No matter where you live, it's always a good idea to be prepared for the unexpected. Unusually low temperatures can occur in any part of the country, which may result in black ice or slick roadways.

Transform your trunk by getting rid of the junk and then gathering these recommended items. Store them in a bag, box or tub with a lid to prevent them from becoming projectiles in the event of a sudden stop, especially in vehicles with an open cargo area, like SUVs or pick-up trucks. This will also keep everything together, making your emergency supplies easy to find when you need them.

Suggested trunk transformation items:

• Hazard triangle (with reflectors) or road flares
• First aid kit
• Jumper cables or small battery charger
• Windshield scraper and brush
• Spare tire (make sure jack and lug wrench are in vehicle)
• Tow strap
• Blankets and extra warm clothing
• Cell phone and charger
• Road salt or cat litter to help with tire traction
• Brightly colored flag or "Help" sign
• Flashlight (with working batteries), matches or lighter
• Tarp for sitting or kneeling in the snow for exterior work like a tire change
• Small tool kit or multi-tool
• Duct tape - for temporary fixes
• High-calorie, non-perishable food
• Water
• Crucial medication

If you're ahead of the game and already travel with an emergency kit, take inventory of your items to be sure everything is still working well, such as flashlight batteries. Check whether any food or medications may have expired.

This is great information to share with new teen drivers. In a recent State Farm survey*, less than 40 percent of teen drivers reported having many of the necessary items for safe winter driving in their vehicle's trunk or cargo area. It is important to let them help you assemble your roadside emergency kit, discussing how items might be used, and make one for each family vehicle. Don't forget to practice driving in winter weather with teens, helping them to gain experience and confidence.

*Contact us for more information about the full survey.

The information in this article was obtained from various sources. While we believe it to be reliable and accurate, we do not warrant the accuracy or reliability of the information. These suggestions are not a complete list of every loss control measure. The information is not intended to replace manuals or instructions provided by the manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional. Nor is it intended to effect coverage under any policy. State Farm makes no guarantees of results from use of this information. We assume no liability in connection with the information nor the suggestions made.

Most of us remember asking that question when we finally got our license.

Getting a driver’s license is a symbol of independence for 16 year olds. But, for some, it may no longer be as important.

Lack of money and a car, busy with other activities, and teen driver safety laws in their state are some reasons teens are waiting longer to get behind the wheel. (State Farm, 2013)

Some teens also shared they are nervous or scared to drive and that is why they are waiting to get their license. And with good reason, the number one killer of American teens is car crashes.

High School Junior Logan Watkins, in Winter Haven, FL recalls the many “medi-vac helicopter” rescues at the busy intersection near her home. “It really scared me. I knew the online driver’s education requirement wasn’t going to be enough for me to be confident and competent behind the wheel. So I wasn’t in any hurry to drive.” Several of her classmates felt the same way.

When Logan heard about the Teen Driver Challenge program from her school administrators, she was very interested. The program was developed by and offered, state-wide, by The Florida Sheriff’s Association.

• v

The Challenge is not a supplemental or advanced driving course. It is a defensive driving program that covers various topics including:

• Vehicle Dynamics
• Human Factors
• Responsibility and Liability
• Effects of Drugs and Alcohol
• Night Driving
• Aggressive Driving

The course is an intensive, half day of classroom instruction and half day of practical driving in the teen’s car with a Florida Sheriff’s Deputy. This includes the reminder to always keep two hands on the wheel and two eyes on the road.

Logan was grateful for the in-depth classroom study which included actual crash videos and, especially, the personal instruction in her own vehicle.

“I’m more comfortable behind the wheel and I feel more prepared to react to other drivers’ habits and potential dangers.”

So, teens today may have a few reasons to wait to drive, but for some Florida teens, one of the reasons isn’t fear of the danger and the new responsibilities thanks to The Teen Driver Challenge.

State Farm is the major sponsor of the Teen Driver Challenge. Their gift helps keep the classes FREE to teen drivers.

New State Farm^® data shows odds drivers will collide with a deer remain the same

Bloomington, Ill. (September 14, 2015) — U.S. drivers are just as likely to have a claim involving a collision with deer, elk or moose than they were last year, according to new claims data from State Farm. The odds drivers will have a claim from hitting one of those animals is 1 out of 169, the same as it was in 2014. That likelihood more than doubles during October, November and December, when deer collisions are most prevalent.

For the ninth year in a row, West Virginia tops the list of states where an auto insurance claim is most likely to occur. The odds a driver in the Mountain State will have a claim did improve to 1 in 44, up from 1 in 39 in 2014, an 11.4% decrease. Hawaii rounds out the bottom of the list also for the ninth year in a row with odds of 1 in 8,765.

The top five states a driver is most likely to have a claim from a collision with a deer, elk or moose are:

Avoid becoming a statistic

Injuries, vehicle damage and fatalities all can result from vehicle collisions with deer. In 2013, 191 deaths were the result of collisions with animals, with deer being the animal most often struck, according to the Insurance Information Institute and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. These tips could help drivers avoid a collision:

• Use extra caution in known deer zones
• Always wear your seatbelt
• At night, when there is no oncoming traffic, use high beams
• Avoid swerving when you see a deer
• Scan the road for deer and other danger signs
• Do not rely on devices such as deer whistles

And here are some deer facts that all drivers should know:

• Deer are on all roads
• Deer are unpredictable
• Deer often move in groups
• Deer movement is most prevalent in the fall
• The hours between dusk and dawn are high risk times

Whether you live in West Virginia or Hawaii, it's important that drivers are practicing safe driving habits and watching out for animals on the road. Wearing your seat belt and practicing defensive driving tactics could make a significant difference.

Reasons why odds go up or down in 2015:

Deer claim counts rose by more than 21% in Indiana and more than 13% in Iowa this past year. The top ten states stayed the same from 2014, just in slightly different order. What causes these significant changes in deer collision rates?

"Periods of daily high-deer movement around dawn and dusk as well as seasonal behavior patterns, such as during the October-December breeding season, increase the risk for auto-deer collisions," said Ron Regan, executive director for the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies. "Changes in collision rates from year to year are a reflection of changing deer densities or population levels – more deer in a given area increases the potential for collision. Deer populations are also affected by conditions such as new or improved roads with higher speeds near deer habitat, winter conditions, and other related factors."

More 2015 State Farm deer collisions facts:

• The national cost per claim average is $4,135, up 6% from 2014 ($3,888).
• The months a driver is most likely to have claim involving a deer, elk or moose in the U.S., mostly due to mating and hunting seasons, are:
  1. November
  2. October

December

• Nearly ten percent of the country's deer claims occur in Pennsylvania (126,275 collisions), though when taking into account the amount of licensed drivers in the state, West Virginia still edges out as number one with a likelihood of 1 in 44 compared to Pennsylvania's 1 in 70 (fourth ranked state).

Methodology:

Using its claims data and state licensed driver counts from the Federal Highway Administration, State Farm, the nation's leading auto insurer, calculates the chances of any single American motorist striking a deer, elk or moose during the time frame of July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015 in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The data has been projected for the insurance industry as a whole, based on the State Farm personal vehicle market penetration within each state. The State Farm data is based on comprehensive and collision claims only. Claims involving policyholders with liability insurance coverage only are not included.

Related Articles

• Watch Out For Animals In The Road
• 6 Things to Do After Hitting a Deer

With no legislative duties on her schedule, Oct. 9 was a typical day for Sally Kelly. She spent that Friday at her full-time job as Vice-President of Member Communications for a large flooring retail cooperative. Sally’s other job was serving in the New Hampshire House of Representatives.

Just like any other end to the work day, Sally started her VW Beetle, fastened the seat belt, and set out for home. It was dusk. A light mist blanketed the road. Sally was planning to pick up her husband and then drive to a dinner party in honor of a dear friend. After turning onto Route 4, only one-and-a-half miles stood between Sally and the safety of her driveway when the unthinkable happened. She thought it was the end of her life; a moment that haunts her to this day.

As she was approaching the local veterinarian’s office, a dark mini-van, which should have passed safely to her left, crossed the yellow lines and into Sally’s lane. Despite her efforts to avoid the vehicle careening toward her, Sally could not escape a head-on crash.

One Year Earlier

Sally has lived in New Hampshire since 1974. The state does not have a primary or secondary enforcement seat belt law, meaning adults cannot be ticketed under any circumstance for failing to wear a seat belt. Sally was a sporadic seat belt user, and as a state legislator she opposed legislating adults wear them.

Sally’s perspective began to change after she was asked to lead a committee to create a seat belt study commission. She opposed the effort but, in the interest of finding middle ground, Sally agreed to the creation of the commission if it included a balance of viewpoints, including those who were against any mandate. An agreement was struck and the commission was created.

As the work of the commission moved forward, Sally listened to testimony both for and against stronger seat belt laws. She learned automobiles are built differently than they were 20 years ago. Sally began to better understand how far technological advancements have come and how they protect vehicle occupants. Perhaps the most important learning was life-saving airbags and other safety features are most effective when passengers are buckled-in. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “seat belts dramatically reduce risk of death and serious injury. Among drivers and front-seat passengers, seat belts reduce the risk of death by 45%, and cut the risk of serious injury by 50%.”

At the conclusion of the commission’s work, Sally, a long-time opponent of stronger seat belt laws and sporadic seat belt user, had become a staunch seat belt supporter. She even introduced a mandatory seat belt law, which passed the House one year later but failed in the Senate by three votes.

Route 4 – Accident Scene,

The sound of screeching tires and crunching metal filled her ears, confusion overtook her mind, but the extreme pain—the most incredible pain she had ever felt—overtook Sally’s body. As she waited for help to arrive, Sally thought about her husband and daughter. She prayed it wasn’t her time to die. She screamed for someone to call her husband, Doug, but didn’t recognize him when he arrived.

Sally was extricated from the mangled mess of her blue VW 45-minutes later. She was alive and thankful, but couldn’t ignore the pain from 10 broken ribs, a broken left clavicle, seven broken bones in her right foot and countless abrasions, requiring many stiches. Sally’s totaled vehicle responded as it should in a frontal collision. The front-end absorbed much of the impact, the drivers’ side airbag deployed and Sally’s seat belt held her securely in the vehicle as various safety features responded around her.

Sally spent months in a wheelchair as she recovered. The physical wounds are mostly healed, but the psychological scars remain. It took a long time to get back behind the wheel. She even practiced driving in a parking lot as if preparing for her first drivers’ license road test. She drives that stretch of Route 4 and is reminded of her crash nearly every day. Some days she takes an alternate route.

Today

Today, Sally is grateful to the dedicated seat belt advocates who urged her for stronger seat belt laws. It is also not lost on her that her foray into public service likely saved her life. If not for her new-found habit of always wearing a seat belt, her crash could have been a fatality.

Sally did not seek re-election to the State Legislature in 2014, but is no less an advocate for increased awareness of passenger safety issues. The crash strengthened her resolve to improve seat belt use in her state and while still serving in the legislature, she succeeded at improving child booster seat standards. On any given day you might find Sally carrying a unique reminder of her path from a non-seat belt using state legislator to a staunch passenger safety advocate. Her handbag, a gift from seat belt supporters, is made from recycled seat belts—a fashionable but important reminder that a seat belt saved her life.

“I wear a seat belt not only for my own safety but also because I love my family and friends,” said Sally. “Our lives have a profound impact on those around us—what would their lives be like if you were killed or seriously injured in an auto accident? If nothing else, buckle-up because you care about those who love you.”

​

We asked 3,000 random Americans: “What’s the weirdest thing you’ve driven around with in your vehicle’s trunk?”

Here’s what they said:

1. “60 Watermelons”

Because that’s how he rolls.

2. “500 Leis”

Because you never know when a party could spontaneously break out.

3. “A Shark”

So that’s what he meant when he said his car fishtails.

4. “A Unicycle”

How’s that for a “spare tire?”

5. “An Astronaut Suit”

When the forecast calls for 0% chance of gravity.

6. “Suit of Armor”

Perfect for the Renaissance man in your life.

7. “100 VCRs”

Hey, some people are convinced 8-tracks will make a comeback, too.

8. “400 Pounds of Coffee”

For those mornings when that “Venti” isn’t Venti enough.

9. “Pink Flamingoes”

Don’t tell the garden gnomes. They get jealous when their lawn mates get to go for a ride.

10. “Pirate Hats”

Her other car’s a schooner.

11. “A Gorilla Suit”

Because you want to be dressed appropriately when meeting friends for a bite.

12. “Bagpipes”

In case there’s nothing good on the radio.

13. “Mannequin”

Because your hair stylist appreciates when you show up to your appointment with visual aids.

Even on a relatively short trip, despite your climate, you could find yourself stranded for several hours. Be sure you have the proper emergency items in your trunk to stay safe until help arrives.

It was a day that started like any other day. School was out. Summer was just getting underway. Seventeen year-old Brian Garlock awoke early and went to his summer job cleaning rental properties with his friend in Pineville, North Carolina.

Just before noon on this ordinary Thursday, following behind his friend's car, Brian turned left - not realizing there was a truck driving toward him. The truck hit Brian’s car on the driver’s side door with an impact so great his car spun 180 degrees. He was then struck by another pick-up truck. Although he was rushed by ambulance to the nearest hospital and then flown by medical helicopter to the main trauma center in downtown Charlotte, North Carolina; Brian’s surgeon notified his family he did not survive.

Tammy’s Devastating Discovery

Nine days after an accident that changed Brian’s family forever, his parents had the unimaginable responsibility of dealing with what remained of Brian’s car. They had given it to him one week prior to the crash that claimed his life. As his mother, Tammy, was diligently searching to get everything from the car that had to do with her child, she spotted something wedged behind what used to be the driver’s-side area. Tammy was determined to retrieve the item. Crawling through twisted metal and over broken glass, what she found was Brian’s cell phone - still intact.

She took the phone home and plugged it in to charge. What she discovered after turning on the phone was a devastating truth. At the time Brian was making that left-hand turn behind his friend’s car, he was also attempting to call his girlfriend to let her know he was running late for their lunch. He never saw the truck barreling down on him. Brian Garlock was fatally distracted in that instant by his cell phone. His family will never be the same. The grief of losing him continues.

An Instant Message Reminder

Tammy Garlock is now on a mission to save others from experiencing the type of tragedy her family went through. She is a strong advocate for teen driver safety. She collaborates with safety partners, including State Farm. She also speaks at schools and driver’s education classes.

She hopes the pink and black “Remember Brian” bracelets created in her son’s memory will serve as an instant message of a different kind. Tammy encourages drivers to remember how quickly things can go wrong when reaching for, or using a phone, while driving.

“Make a better choice than my son did that day. The life you end up saving could very well be your own.”

You can learn more about Tammy’s efforts and make a pledge to stop using your phone while driving on her website, DyingChangesEverything.org.

How do we manage these risks effectively? What behaviors are the most critical to a safe driving experience? And how can we encourage drivers to take personal responsibility for adopting more of these safety-conscious behaviors?

Engaged Driving occurs when drivers actively devote sufficient attention to actions critical to safe driving. It’s our goal for all drivers to have this level of engagement at all times. That’s why State Farm chose to name this safety effort the “Engaged Driving Initiative.”

When it comes to tackling safety issues, at State Farm we employ the Research to Action business model. The  Engaged Driving Initiative will be no different.

We will first consider if there are research gaps we need to address in order to truly understand the problem. Once identified, we will engage in the research, enabling us to better understand the full nature of the issue of distracted driving. This will ultimately help us develop solutions that will improve safety for everyone who shares our roadways.

Distracted driving is a very complex issue, and there has been a great deal of research conducted to learn more about the problem. Some research involves in-vehicle cameras, others use driving simulators. Some experts do observational studies while others study crash data or conduct surveys.

We believe there is value to studying distracted driving from all these perspectives.

Based on our success with past safety initiatives, we knew our Engaged Driving research had the best chance for success if we reached out to others with a broad range of perspectives and areas of expertise. But how best to identify and reach the people and groups with the most to contribute to this effort?

For this, we turned to the Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM). As an international, multi-disciplinary organization dedicated to motor vehicle crash injury control and prevention, AAAM was the perfect partner to help us bring together a panel of experts to identify the current state-of-the-science and identify gaps needing further investigation.

Engaged Driving Symposium: March 31, 2014

To launch the Engaged Driving Initiative, and in recognition of Distracted Driving Awareness Month, State Farm sponsored the Engaged Driving Symposium in Washington, D.C. on March 31, 2014.

The AAAM with support from State Farm, gathered a panel of top experts representing a broad range of expertise in the field of safe driving. The panel spent the past year preparing research reports on the latest science around distracted driving. At the symposium, they told us where there are gaps that need further exploration.

These experts shared their findings at a small, professional Engaged Driving Symposium on Monday, March 31st, in Washington, D.C. We made the symposium available to everyone in a free, live webcast during the event.

The full symposium is also available on-demand: Engaged Driving Symposium (March 31, 2014, Washington D.C.)

The symposium coincided with the release of a special issue of the AAAM journal, The Annals of Advances in Automotive Medicine, containing peer-reviewed papers authored by this group of experts. The full journal or individual papers can be downloaded for free at www.aaam.org.

Employing the Research to Action business model, State Farm is using the body of research contained in the journal and presented at the Engaged Driving Symposium to guide us in our next steps toward tackling the dangerous problem of distracted driving.

In movies and daydreams, America in decades past was a land of open highways, stylish vehicles and a simpler life. It was an era of Route 66, drive-ins and cruising.

It was also an era when lots of people died in car crashes.

As a percentage of the U.S. population, traffic fatalities were more than twice as high in the 1960s than today. In raw numbers, 1972 was the deadliest year. That year more than 54,000 fatalities, compared with fewer than 34,000 deaths in 2012, despite having a much larger population base, occurred. And measured in deaths per million vehicle miles traveled (VMT), the current rate of 1.1. This is significantly reduced from the 7.2 rate of 1950 – and a fraction of the 1921 rate of 24.1 deaths per million VMT.

Making changes to save lives

So what’s changed, and how did it happen? Simply put, researchers pinpointed problems. Then engineers, policymakers and advocates tackled them one by one.

View Auto Safety Timeline

“It wasn’t that long ago that a lot of things we take for granted today didn’t exist,” said Anne McCartt, Senior Vice President for Research at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). “Painted lines on the roads, shoulders, guardrails… By the 1960s cars had seatbelts, but people didn’t use them.”

And then there are technological improvements like airbags and child safety seats. Although required today, they were optional in the past.

In all these cases, researchers analyzed data from car crashes to figure out why injuries and deaths were happening. Then they determined what action to take to correct the source of the problem.

The power of “research to action”

A great deal of data came from insurance companies, which have unique insight into the often tragic results of crashes.

“Through our ‘research to action’ philosophy at State Farm, we focus on research to identify specific risks and evidence-supported actions we can take to achieve a positive impact,” said Chris Mullen, Director of Technology Research at State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company. “If you truly want to be a good neighbor – and we do – you want to help people avoid risks whenever possible.”

To show how far we’ve come and the cumulative impact of the “research to action” philosophy, State Farm created an interactive timeline that highlights key advancements in auto safety starting in the late 1800’s.

As a founding member of IIHS, backer of research, data source and advocate, Mullen said, State Farm has played a role in many critical changes, including:

• Airbags: A leading role in the early 1980s legal battle that resulted in the requirement for airbags today. This decision had even went all the way to the Supreme Court.

• Child safety: A joint effort with The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia® to research child passenger safety in the late 1990s. This led to numerous changes in car seats, usage recommendations and laws in the years since.

• Teen drivers: Research and education related to young drivers and science-based efforts to make Graduated Driver Licensing. This is a program that lets new drivers gain experience gradually.

But changes don’t need to make headlines to be significant. McCartt noted that State Farm data on whiplash cases led the IIHS to review head restraints. This in turn led auto manufacturers to redesign them.

“The whole consumer awareness effort about auto safety is huge,” said McCartt. “Auto manufacturers now make it a selling point. It’s just phenomenal how much safer we are today.”

What’s next: Automated vehicle technology, engaged driving

McCartt said the IIHS is retooling to allow research on automated safety systems, like braking assist and other collision avoidance technologies. She said the technology side is the next big wave, and it requires entirely different facilities to test it.

On the driver side of the equation, Mullen and State Farm are focusing on the Engaged Driving Initiative (EDI).

“In 2012, the Auto Technology Research staff that I lead at State Farm conducted an environmental scan to identify significant auto safety research issues needing to be addressed. Distracted driving shot to the top of the list,” said Mullen. “Today drivers are challenged with demands on their attention by multiple devices and activities that may distract them from driving. We need to determine the best ways to encourage drivers to take personal responsibility in adopting safety-conscious behaviors.”

As part of EDI, State Farm is backing researchers exploring the causes and solutions of distraction, and even how best to research it. (The researchers presented their findings at the Engaged Driving Symposium (March 31, 2014, Washington D.C.)

It’s the first step towards future safety innovations– and a critical moment for those whose lives will be saved in years to come.

In 2009, a beloved, Northern California mother was a victim of drunk driving, leaving many people devastated. However, over the years, the dedicated volunteer work of the daughter she left behind, has saved many lives.

On April 22^nd, Kate Swanson’s 63-year old mother, Mona Swanson-Norman, was killed. A truck, heading down the highway in the wrong direction with its headlights off, struck Mona’s car head on. The collision killed Kate’s mother instantly. The driver of the truck was high on meth and had a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit.

“More than 600 people showed up to her memorial service,” Kate recalls. “Nobody can imagine how far something like this reaches.”

The ripple effect of a tragic crash reaches far and wide.

About a year after the crash, struggling to cope with the loss of her mother, Kate realized she needed to be around people that understood what she was going through. Kate found Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

The sense of loss will always be painful for Kate and her family. “The holiday season, in particular, has been hard,” shared Kate.

With time, the pain has become less extreme. Kate has learned to manage her grief, in part, by channeling her energy into volunteering regularly with MADD.

Every year, she shares her story with thousands of teens and hundreds of DUI offenders hoping to stop future tragedies and save lives. Kate strongly believes in MADD’s education programs and feels honored to play an integral part in its awareness efforts.

When Kate’s step-father delivered the terrible news about her mother’s death, all Kate could think was, “there is no way this is happening to me. This only happens to other people.”

In dealing with her loss and finding solace in her work with MADD, Kate has come to realize she probably has one thing in common with the driver of the crash, she says “he probably didn’t think this was ever going to happen to him either.”

Kate’s story is a tragic example of the consequences of drunk driving. She is quick, to remind us, however, that it is fine to have some fun once in a while.

“I’m not here to tell people not to drink,” she said. “Go have some fun but, just be responsible. Be thoughtful and think ahead about how you plan to get around because drinking and driving just is not worth it.”

According to MADD, New Year’s Day is the deadliest day of the year for drunk driving deaths. Additionally, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data shows more than 10,000 people died in 2013 in crashes involving a drunk driver, that’s roughly one death every 52 minutes.

This New Year’s Eve, State Farm reminds all drivers to be safe and take these simple steps to help prevent drinking and driving.

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