New York State To Charge For Car Deer Wrecks?
The Fall is well underway across New York State and the leaves have changed color and fallen to the ground. For some, this is the best time of the year in the Empire State. As a life long New York State resident, I have often said that the best part of the year is from September 21st until New Year's day.
Sure the snow will fly soon and yes, there will be those bitterly cold days. That only means we need to take advantage of the good days while we can. But this time of the year also spells trouble for drivers across New York State as well. When Autumn gets here, the deer are on the move.
In the early morning and late afternoon, when you are driving, pay attention for deer to be crossing the roads. Hitting a deer is not only a bad way to start the day, it can be expensive! But just how expensive? Is there a chance that New York could start charging drivers when they hit and kill a deer? It doesn't seem as though that is happening anytime soon. Police may charge drivers from time to time with speeding or other infraction IF they are aware of it at the time of the accident.
As far as insurance costs and repairs to your car, that is where the prices and fees pile up. There is also a serious danger associated with car-deer accidents.
The average cost of repairs for deer-on-car collisions is about $3,000. But the damage to the car of course is not the main problem: Approximately 140 people a year die from car-on-deer collisions in the United States, to say nothing of the serious injuries that abound.
Those of us who enjoy hunting pay an annual fee to hunt deer in New York State. Whether it is a lifetime or annual license, hunters must pay to get a tag to kill a deer in The Empire State. I have often wondered if that fee will soon apply to car-deer accidents? Since New York loves to add taxes and extra fees to just about everything, I wouldn't say it is out of the question.