SouthDakotaDeer-VehicleCollisionData.pptVIP

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * South Dakota Deer-Vehicle Collision Data Art Smith Dept. of Game, Fish Parks 523 E. Capitol Ave, Pierre 605.773.7595 art.smith@state.sd.us 25% of all SD crashes from 1999-2004 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 Number of registered vehicles is rising Number of total 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 1996-2001 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 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 Average hospitalization cost $3,470 Medical costs associated with deer-vehicle collisions are also important Utah, 1996-2001 DVC data GFP DOT combine for carcass removals SDARS collected by law enforcement Mapping of carcass and accident report data Annual press releases DMS sign warnings 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: Carcass removals South Dakota Accident Reporting System Public Awareness Campaign news releases / roadway signs / interviews “local” news info Mapping Public Education Mapping - carcass collection data Contractor’s name Date of pick-up Location (highway, mrm) UTMs Species Sex Date of complaint Flagged or not flagged Mapping - carcass collection data How severe the problem is How many accidents are occurring Rough idea of when the accident occurred season