Page 36 - The Magazine of AAA Ohio Auto Club – September 2020
P. 36
Continued from page 32
October through December are peak months for deer- vehicle crashes, because of the clearing of fields and deer mating season. Last year, about 22% of Ohio’s deer-vehicle collisions occurred in November, when the Ohio Department of Public Safety recorded nearly 4,000 of these crashes.
Colliding with a deer is also very costly. In 2017, the average insurance claim for a deer-vehicle collision in Ohio was more than $4,400.
HOW TO AVOID ANIMAL COLLISIONS:
Scan the road ahead: Looking ahead helps provide enough reaction time if an animal is spotted. Also, remember some animals, like deer, move in groups, so there are usually more in the area when there is one.
Use high beam headlights if there’s no oncoming traffic: This can help you spot deer or other wildlife sooner and give you time to slow down, move over or honk the horn to scare the animal away. High beams also help in spotting animals’ reflective eyes.
Be extra cautious at dawn and dusk: Deer tend to be more active in the early morning and at dusk, especially between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
If a collision is unavoidable, apply the brakes firmly and remain in your lane: Swerving to avoid an animal
can often cause a more severe crash or cause you to lose control of your vehicle. What’s more, drivers who swerve to miss a deer and hit something else may be charged for an at-fault accident.
Consider purchasing comprehensive insurance if you don’t already have it. Comprehensive insurance is the type of insurance that covers animal collisions.
Always wear a seat belt and remain awake, alert and sober: According to the Insurance Information Institute, getting injured when hitting an animal is much higher if you don’t have your seatbelt on. If you’re distracted or drowsy, you’re not properly scanning the road for deer and could end up spotting them too late.
EXCLUSIVE: SAVE $150
to HAWAII, MEXICO and the CARIBBEAN1
PLUS receive a $150 Activity Voucher—TRIPLE the standard AAA Member Benefit2
OR up to $100 OFF3 to the CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES
PLUS AAA Member Benefit: $25 OFF per booking4 MUST BE BOOKED 09/01/2020 – 10/31/2020
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1Dream Getaways Hawaii, Mexico and Caribbean Offer: Valid on new bookings made 09/01/2020 – 10/31/2020 for select travel 09/01/2020 – 06/30/2021. Requires roundtrip airfare from the continental U.S. and accommodation of 5 nights or longer at a participating hotel or resort. Discount is per booking and taken at time of booking.
2Triple Member Benefit Offer: Valid on qualifying Dream Getaways bookings. Activity voucher does not apply to air/car only booking. For Hawaii, Mexico, and select Caribbean destinations, $100 value in activity vouchers is combinable with standard Member Benefit activity voucher of $50, totaling $150 value in activity vouchers per booking maximum. Valid toward the purchase of a select optional activity. Not valid for hotel direct activity bookings. 3Dream Getaways Continental United States Offer: Valid on new bookings made 09/01/2020 – 10/31/2020 for select travel 09/01/2020 – 06/30/2021. Requires roundtrip airfare and accommodation of 2 nights or longer at a participating hotel or resort. Savings is $50 off 2-3 night stays; $75 off 4-night stays; $100 off 5-night stays or longer. Discount is per booking and taken at time of booking.
4AAA Member Benefit: $25 discount does not apply to air/car only bookings. Discount is per booking and taken at time of booking.
Advance reservations through AAA Travel required to obtain Member Benefits & savings which may vary based on departure date. Not responsible for errors or omissions. Pleasant Holidays acts only as an agent for cruise & tour providers listed. CST# 1007939-10. Copyright©2020 Pleasant Holidays, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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