Allstate Offers Advice on How to Avoid Deer-Vehicle Collisions

Insurance company Allstate is once again reminding motorists to be on the lookout for crossing deer.

Auto claim data shows vehicle collisions with animals spike in frequency from October through December. Thirty eight percent of claims from animal collisions occur in the last three months of the year, with more than 13,000 recorded animal strikes in the month of November. Allstate customers’ average national repair cost from a vehicle collision with an animal is around $2,800, the insurance company said.

According to the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI), insurance claims for damage from collisions with animals rise sharply every fall, coinciding with deer mating season.

“Allstate reminds drivers to pay extra attention on the road for deer and other animals during this time,” said Samuel Whiteman, Allstate claim director. “If you live in areas with large deer populations, you’ll likely see increased activity and unfortunately hear more stories of vehicle collisions with deer.”

Allstate and the Insurance Information Institute have prepared a number of defensive driving tips to limit deer-vehicle collisions. You can pass their advice along to your fleet drivers:

• Be especially attentive from sunset to midnight and during the hours shortly before and after sunrise. These are the highest risk times for deer-vehicle collisions.
• If you see one deer cross, slow down and watch for others to follow.
• Look for movement where roads are bordered by fields or natural habitat.
• Heed deer crossing signs and reduce speed in deer “hot spots.”
• When driving at night, use high beam headlights when there is no oncoming traffic. The high beams will better illuminate the eyes of deer on or near the roadway.
• Brake firmly when you notice a deer in or near your path, but stay in your lane. Many serious crashes occur when drivers swerve to avoid a deer and hit another vehicle or lose control of their vehicle.
• Always wear your seat belt. Deer-vehicle collisions can result in serious injuries, and even death.
• Ensure that your brakes and tires are in good working order. A properly functioning vehicle can help if you need to react quickly.

Here are additional tips for drivers that do get into an accident with an animal:

• Dial 9-1-1.
• Do not attempt to touch an injured animal that’s in or near the road. When the police arrive, they will be able to call the proper local authorities to care for the animal.
• Always follow your company's fleet procedures for reporting collisions.

New Honda Accord Hybrid Poised to Return Class-Leading Fuel Efficiency

As a pioneering manufacturer of hybrid vehicles since the introduction of the Insight in 1999, it is no surprise that Honda keeps pushing the boundaries of gas-electric technology. The latest example is the all-new 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid, which is aiming to shake up the midsize-sedan category with class-leading fuel efficiency. Though official figures from the EPA are still pending, Honda estimates that the upcoming hybrid version of its best-selling vehicle will return 49 mpg in the city, topping every other hybrid midsize sedan.

The 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid will achieve its leading efficiency thanks to a brand-new 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle engine paired with a 124-kilowatt electric motor and a lithium-ion battery. Three different driving modes will be available, including the options of running in gas- or electric-only modes, or using them in combination for maximum power. The Accord Hybrid will also be able to transition intelligently between modes when needed, delivering optimal power to the transmission while minimizing fuel consumption.

"Honda is going for the hybrid crown by taking its most popular vehicle and giving it similar fuel economy to the Prius," said Frank McLaughlin, general manager of a Greater Boston Honda dealership. "When the Honda Accord Hybrid goes on sale this October, it will attract those drivers who have been waiting out for a hybrid that doesn't require them to compromise on performance, space or refinement."

Technological innovations are not limited to the powertrain in the Accord Hybrid. Buyers will be able to opt for some of the most advanced safety features on the market, including Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning and the industry-first LaneWatch blind-spot display. A multi-angle rearview camera will provide additional points of view while displaying guidelines for increased safety. Drivers will also have available access to detailed information on performance, efficiency, entertainment and navigation through easy-to-read console and dashboard screens, including an eight-inch color display.

Bolstering Honda's lineup of electrified and alternative-fuel models, the Accord Hybrid joins its Accord Plug-In sibling, which went on sale earlier this year in certain regions and returns 115 MPGe combined on the city and highway. The Honda Insight remains an efficient option on the market, and the Honda Civic sedan offers both hybrid and natural-gas models. For a subcompact car that is also 100 percent electric, the limited-release Honda Fit EV is rated at an impressive 118 MPGe combined, while buyers who like to optimize responsiveness in their hybrid can opt for the sporty Honda CR-Z.

"Honda is continually expanding its line of green vehicles, and the popular midsize sedan category was the next logical step for developing its most advanced hybrid model to date," added McLaughlin. "The value of the Accord Hybrid comes not only from its fuel efficiency, but also from its intuitive safety features that you can expect to find in luxury sedans."