Maaco Offers Tips on Avoiding Animal Collisions

Maaco Collision Repair and Auto Painting
Published: January 15th, 2008

Collision Franchise company gives advice to residents during peak time of year for deer, elk and other large animal collisions

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Close to 50 percent of deer crashes consistently occur during the winter season, according to the Mid-America Regional Council - and it's not just deer that cause accidents. Areas with rapid residential growth and new commercial developments also force other animals to walk along highways and local streets to seek new homes.

"A vehicle's contact with a large animal can not only cause serious injury to the driver, it also has the potential of costing that driver thousands of dollars to repair the damage. As a public service, MAACO is offering advice on how to deal with animal collisions," says David Lapps, vice president of operations for MAACO Collision Repair & Auto Painting.

The national chain offers the following tips to help motorists deal with animals on the road and avoid collisions:

• First things first - buckle up. Wearing your safety belt is the most important thing you can do when driving your vehicle.
• "Deer Crossing" signs are put up for a reason. It's vital to reduce your vehicle's speed and equally important to be extra alert when driving on roads where these signs are posted.
• Dawn and dusk are prime times for animal movement, especially deer.
• If you see a large animal crossing the road, it's likely there are more in the area.
• Be sure to drive at an appropriate speed at all times, but especially during rain and snow. Precipitation can have a significant impact on how fast you will be able to stop your vehicle when approaching an animal.

Each year, roughly 200 people are killed, more than 15,000 injured and 300,000 vehicles damaged from collisions with wildlife and domestic animals, according to federal safety data.

The average cost of a deer collision is $8,000, including repair, towing and cleaning up the carcass, while hitting an elk averages $17,000, according to Western Transportation Institute researchers.

MAACO repairs and paints close to 750,000 vehicles each year. Since 1972, more than 17 million vehicles have been repaired by MAACO.