PERCEPTIONS OF RISK FROM DEER-RELATED VEHICLE ACCIDENTS: IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC PREFERENCES FOR DEER HERD SIZE

Abstract

Many areas of the eastern United States have large white-tailed (Odocoileus virginianus) populations in close proximity to people. Deer often occur in suburban areas and occasionally in urban areas. As a consequence, more people are experiencing negative interactions with (Connelly et al. 1987:1-4, Decker and Gavin 1987). Motor-vehicle collisions involving are a safety concern anywhere and people coexist. The incidence of deer-related vehicle accidents (DRVA's) has increased as populations (and traffic volumes) have grown in Michigan (Allen and McCullough 1976, Hansen 1983, Langenau and Rabe 1987:21), Pennsylvania (Naze 1989; D. S. deCalesta, U.S. For. Serv., Warren, Pa., pers. commun., 1991), Connecticut (M. R. Ellingwood and J. V. Spignesi, Conn. Wildl. Div., Hartford, pers. commun., 1991), Illinois (J. H. Witham, Ill. Dep. Energy and Nat. Resour., unpubl. data) and New York (J. R. Palmeteer, N.Y. State Dep. Environ. Conserv. [NYSDEC], Delmar, unpubl. data). Deer-related vehicle accidents occur not only when a and vehicle collide, but also when accidents result from motorists' attempts to avoid deer. Human fatalities occur in a small proportion of DRVA's, but the cost of vehicle damage is substantial. A study of incidence and costs of reported and unreported DRVA's in Tompkins County, New York, during 1988 yielded a conservative estimate of 57,000 DRVA's statewide, causing $50 million in vehicle damage (Decker et al. 1990). Public awareness of DRVA's may intensify in areas where the density of and motorists creates a greater incidence of accidents. Associated perceptions about the threat of to public safety may influence public attitudes and behaviors toward deer, including public preferences regarding the size of populations. The prevalence of various vehiclemounted deer whistles intended to frighten away from moving vehicles is evidence of people's concern, although the effectiveness of such devices is disputed (Schwatbach 1989, Bomford and O'Brien 1990, Romin and Dalton 1992). Studies from New York indicate that more people are concerned about deer-car collisions than about Lyme disease (Connelly et al. 1987:24-25; Decker and Gavin 1987; R. J. Stout, unpubl. data), even though New York has the greatest number of reported cases of Lyme disease nationwide (D. White, N.Y. State Tick-borne Dis. Inst., Albany, pers. commun., 1991). Perceptions of the threat of DRVA's to public safety may influence people's (especially motorists') preferences regarding the size of populations and support for various management objectives.