Deer-Car Collisions in Bucks County: A Closer Look at the Data
Welcome to my new blog series on car accidents in Pennsylvania between 2002 and 2021, based on data from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
Car accidents are a serious issue that affect countless people across the state every year. They can cause significant damage to property, result in injuries or fatalities, and disrupt the lives of those involved.
In this series, I will be examining the data on car accidents in Pennsylvania over the past two decades. I will analyze the trends and patterns that have emerged over the years, identify the factors that contribute to these accidents, and discuss the measures that can be taken to prevent them.
My first blog in this series will focus specifically on accidents between cars and deer in Bucks County, PA. This is an issue that is particularly relevant in Pennsylvania, which has consistently been one of the top states in the country for deer-related car accidents.
I will take a closer look at the data for Bucks County, examining the number of accidents, the time of day and year they occur, and the factors that contribute to them.
My goal with this series is to provide valuable information and insights into the issue of car accidents in Pennsylvania, and to help promote safer driving and greater awareness of the risks on our roads. So join me as I explore the data and examine this important topic.
Welcome to our latest blog post, where we'll be taking a closer look at car accidents involving deer in Bucks County, PA.
Over the past two decades, there have been a staggering 2,534,903 car accidents reported in Pennsylvania. Of those, 126,378 occurred in Bucks County, making it one of the most accident-prone areas in the state. Even more concerning, 6,483 of those accidents involved a collision with a deer. That means that 5% of all car accidents in Bucks County are with deer.
In this post, we'll be delving into the data to examine when and where these accidents are happening, as well as the severity of the accidents. We'll look at the time of day and year that these accidents are most likely to occur, the locations within Bucks County that are most affected, and the types of damage and injuries that result from these accidents.
Our goal with this post is to shed light on the issue of car accidents with deer in Bucks County and provide valuable insights for drivers and policymakers alike. By understanding the patterns and factors that contribute to these accidents, we can take steps to prevent them and make our roads safer for everyone. So without further ado, let's dive into the data and explore this important topic.
BY YEAR
The data above provides us with a clear overview of the number of car accidents with deer in Bucks County between 2002 and 2020. At first glance, we can see that there is a degree of variability in the numbers from year to year, with some years having higher numbers of accidents than others. For example, 2004, 2009, and 2015 saw particularly high numbers of accidents, while 2003 and 2020 had relatively low numbers.
It's worth noting that there is no clear trend over time in terms of the number of accidents, although there does appear to be a slight increase in the early 2010s followed by a plateau and decline in recent years. Nevertheless, it's clear that car accidents with deer continue to be a significant problem in Bucks County, with hundreds of such accidents occurring each year.
MONTHLY DATA
Looking at the data above, we can see that there is a clear pattern in the number of car accidents with deer in Bucks County by month. October and November are the months with the highest numbers of accidents, with 1,328 and 1,371 accidents respectively. These two months account for nearly half of all accidents involving deer in the county.
The high number of accidents in October and November can be attributed to a number of factors. Firstly, this is the time of year when deer are most active, as it's breeding season and the animals are on the move in search of mates. This increased activity means that drivers are more likely to encounter deer on the roads, leading to a higher number of accidents.
In contrast, the months with the lowest numbers of accidents are August and April, with just 242 and 259 accidents respectively. These months fall outside of the peak deer activity season, which likely contributes to the lower numbers.
Overall, the monthly data underscores the importance of being vigilant and aware when driving in Bucks County, especially during the fall months when deer activity is at its highest. By taking precautions such as reducing speed, using high beams when possible, and avoiding distractions while driving, we can reduce the risk of these accidents and ensure that everyone stays safe on the roads.
HOURLY DATA
Examining the data on the hour of day when accidents occur, we can see that there are several notable trends. Firstly, the hours with the highest numbers of accidents are between 5 PM and 9 PM, with a peak occurring at 7 PM. This is likely due to a combination of factors, including reduced visibility during dusk and the peak time of day for deer activity.
Additionally, there is a smaller peak in accidents between 1 AM and 3 AM, which may be due to drivers being fatigued or less alert during these late-night hours. Interestingly, there are fewer accidents during the morning rush hour, with just 73 accidents occurring at 9 AM.
Another trend worth noting is the relatively low number of accidents during the middle of the day, with the lowest numbers occurring between 8 AM and 12 PM. This could be due to reduced deer activity during these hours, as well as fewer cars on the road overall.
Overall, the hourly data provides us with valuable insights into when accidents with deer are most likely to occur. By being aware of these trends and taking appropriate precautions such as reducing speed and using high beams during peak hours, drivers can help to reduce the risk of these accidents and stay safe on the roads.
WHERE – MAPS
Upon examining the locations of car-deer collisions, it becomes evident that they are widely dispersed throughout the Bucks County area, with the greatest number of accidents occurring in heavily-traveled thoroughfares. This phenomenon is primarily attributable to the high volume of traffic in these areas, rather than the behavioral tendencies of the deer population. A comprehensive analysis of the data reveals that major roads, such as I-95, Route 1, and the PA Turnpike, have the highest incidence of accidents in the Lower Bucks region. In Central Bucks, 611 (Easton Road), 263 York Road, and 202 are characterized by a relatively high density of accidents, while 309, 313, and the North East Extension of the Turnpike stand out as prominent sites of collision in the Upper Bucks region.
Lower Bucks County
Central Bucks County
Upper Bucks County
RANDOM DETAILS ABOUT THE ACCIDENTS
The purpose of this section is to examine potential trends in the contextual circumstances surrounding deer-car accidents, some of which may be unrelated to the collisions themselves but nevertheless of interest.
WEATHER
First I’ll focus on analyzing weather patterns and their potential impact on accident rates. The available data regarding weather conditions at the time of accidents is as follows: 5821 accidents occurred during clear weather, while only 515 occurred during rainy conditions. There were 76 accidents in situations characterized by fog, smog, or smoke, and an additional 11 accidents during cloudy conditions. Only 24 accidents took place in snowy conditions, and a mere 2 accidents were attributed to sleet or hail. One accident was recorded during freezing rain or freezing drizzle, while the weather conditions were unknown for 28 accidents.
Overall, it appears that the majority of deer-car accidents in the Bucks County area occur during clear weather, with rain being the second most common weather condition during accidents. The low number of accidents occurring during snow, sleet, or hail may be due to the decreased likelihood of deer being active during inclement weather. These findings may have implications for traffic safety policies and initiatives aimed at reducing the incidence of deer-car accidents.
TOW AWAYS
The data reveals that a total of 6482 deer-related accidents occurred in Bucks County over the past two decades, resulting in a significant number of vehicles being rendered undriveable after the collisions. Specifically, 6254 vehicles, representing a staggering 96% of all accidents, required towing away from the scene due to the severity of the damage sustained. This high rate of tow-away incidents underscores the significant impact of deer-car accidents on the local community, including increased traffic congestion, property damage, and the potential for serious injury or loss of life. These findings highlight the importance of implementing effective strategies to mitigate the risk of deer-car collisions and minimize their negative consequences.
CAR BRANDS
While the topic of car accidents is a serious matter, it's worth taking a lighthearted look at the car brands that are most commonly involved in deer-car collisions. According to the data, it seems that Fords are the unfortunate champions, leading the pack with 868 reported accidents involving their vehicles. Perhaps it's time for the manufacturer to consider a new slogan, "Built Ford Tough, but not Deer Proof!" Jokes aside, the rest of the top 20 list includes a variety of well-known brands, from Toyota and Chevrolet to Volkswagen and BMW, showing that no vehicle is immune to the occasional run-in with a deer. So, when driving through Bucks County, it's important to stay alert and keep an eye out for these unpredictable and elusive creatures, no matter what brand of car you happen to be driving.
INJURY OR DEATH
While the impact of deer-car accidents on property damage and traffic disruption is significant, the most unfortunate consequence of these incidents is the potential for injury or loss of life. The data shows that out of the total of 6482 deer-related accidents in Bucks County, 1800, or 28% of them, resulted in injuries to individuals involved in the collisions. This high rate of injury emphasizes the severity of these accidents and the importance of taking effective measures to prevent them. Additionally, the data reveals that 16 individuals lost their lives as a result of these collisions, highlighting the need for greater awareness and efforts to mitigate the risk of deer-car accidents and ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians alike.
