Deer Pose Rising Danger on the Road

DEER CREEK CANYON, Colo., Nov. 18, 2004 — -- Ron Rosset, of Littleton, Colo., says he's lucky to be alive after running into a deer while driving home one night.

"I was extremely surprised," he said. "An animal in the road is not something you're expecting to see, especially as you're traveling at speeds of 65 to 75 mph through mountain roads."

He escaped injury, but his vehicle sustained $4,000 in damage. The deer vanished and likely died of its injuries.

Rosset is one of a growing number of people who have collided with deer. It happens more than 4,000 times a day, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

"There are more deer now in North America than there have ever been," said Todd Malmsbury of the Colorado Division of Wildlife. "It's mating season, and the deer are more active, and we're right in their habitat. We're living there, and we're driving there."

Last year, the Insurance Institute says, fatal crashes involving deer jumped 27 percent, resulting in 210 deaths. Over 13,000 people were injured, most of them from swerving off the road to avoid the animals and crashing into trees and other motorists instead.

"That's a natural reaction, and that's what gets people in trouble," said Allan Williams, chief scientist for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

There are a variety of solutions to avoid such trouble. "The Hornet," a sonic wave device placed on the vehicle, produces sound waves to drive away deer. But the institute says deer can't hear the noise.

Roadside infrared cameras, however, are more promising. Currently being tested in Canada's Kootenay National Park, they can "see" the animals through darkness, rain and fog and set off blinking lights on nearby wildlife signs, warning motorists to slow down.

The Swedish carmaker Saab is designing stronger vehicles, which can withstand the impact of a 200-pound buck. In Sweden, where the cars are being tested, collisions with moose -- which can weigh up to 1,500 pounds -- are prevalent.

Fencing is the most effective solution, reducing collisions by up to 96 percent. But at a cost of $250,000 a mile, it's simply too expensive to be used everywhere.

Low-tech solutions may be best. Seats belts could reduce the fatality rate by two-thirds. Rosset, who was wearing one, also did something else that is recommended.

"I had very little opportunity but just keep driving on through it, and I'm very thankful for that," he said.

Sometimes, researchers say, running into a deer is actually safer than taking evasive action.

ABC News' Bill Redeker filed this report for World News Tonight.