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The INDEPENDENT, December 13, 2007
What are your chances of a deer vs. vehicle collision in Oregon?
Vehicles in Oregon are at
relatively low risk of colliding
with deer, according to State
Farm Insurance ® claims data.
Using its data from the last half
of 2006 and the first half of
2007, and motor vehicle regis-
tration counts by state from the
Federal Highway Administra-
tion, State Farm estimates the
chances of an Oregon vehicle
colliding with a deer over the
next 12 months at one in 295,
which places the state 33rd na-
tionwide.
During the last year, 2,064 of
State Farm’s Oregon cus-
tomers were involved in deer
collisions, up 280 from the year
before.
Leading the nation in fre-
quency of deer collisions is
West Virginia. The company
estimates the chances of a
West Virginia vehicle colliding
with a deer over the next 12
months at one in 57. That is
nearly three times more likely
than one estimate of the possi-
bility that a person will be audit-
ed by the Internal Revenue
Service in 2008 and 5,000
times more likely than another
approximation of the chance
that an individual will be struck
by lightning between now and a
year from now.
The state in which deer-ve-
hicle collisions are least likely is
Hawaii (1 in 16,624). These in-
cidents are ten times less likely
in our 50th state than they are
in any other state.
State Farm’s data shows the
total number of deer-vehicle
collisions in the United States
has increased 6.3 percent over
a year ago.
The average property dam-
age cost of these incidents was
just under $2,900, up 3 percent
from a year ago.
According to the Insurance
Institute for Highway Safety ® ,
there are approximately 1.5
million deer-vehicle collisions
annually in the United States,
causing more than 150 fatali-
ties and $1.1 billion in property
damage.
These collisions are more
frequent during the deer migra-
tion and mating season in Oc-
tober, November and Decem-
ber. The combination of grow-
ing deer populations and the
displacement of deer habitat
caused by urban sprawl is pro-
ducing increasingly hazardous
conditions for motorists and
deer.
Here are tips on how to re-
duce the chances of a deer-ve-
hicle collision:
• Be aware of posted deer
crossing signs. These are
placed in active deer crossing
areas.
• Remember that deer are
most active 6-9:00 p.m.
Hey Kids & Parents too
Santa Claus
is Coming to Banks!
Saturday December 15th.
From 11a.m, to 2 p.m.
With Stockings for All
Santa’ s Helpers Provided by
Banks Fire District 13
660 So. Main, Banks • 503-324-2171
• Use high beam headlamps
as much as possible at night to
illuminate the areas from which
deer will enter roadways.
• Keep in mind that deer
generally travel in herds – if
you see one, there is a strong
possibility others are nearby.
• Do not rely on car-mounted
deer whistles. They don’t work.
• If a deer collision seems in-
evitable, attempting to swerve
out of the way could cause you
to lose control of your vehicle
or place you in the path of an
oncoming vehicle.
Between the Bookends
By Susan Cackler, Library Assistant
Banks Public Library
Take a break from the
hustle and bustle of this
time of year and curl up
with a book from the li-
brary. Re-visit an old fa-
vorite author or branch out
and try something new.
Nothing beats a good
book on a rainy day.
Bring your knitting or other portable craft to
the community room at the library on Wednes-
day, December 5, for an evening of crafts and
conversation. The Friends of the Library host this
craft night the first Wednesday of every month
from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Join us for Preschool Story Time Wednes-
days at 10:15 a.m. This event is geared toward
3-6 year-olds, but younger siblings are welcome.
This month Miss Kathy will read on the following
themes:
December 5th:
Castle Chaos
December 12th:
Baaaaa Humbug
December 19th:
Holiday Joys
The Friends of the Banks Public Library can
always use your support. You can make a tax
deductible donation, become a member, volun-
teer, or bring your recycling to Swatco on the
second Saturday of each month. Money that
the Friends raise helps the library purchase Cul-
tural Passes, upgrade equipment and purchase
books and movies.
New Books: My Dearest Friend: Letters of Abi-
gail and John
Just the finest in Adams, edit-
ed by Mar-
collision repair
garet Hogan
and C. James
Taylor. This
non-fiction
work presents
letters
be-
No Custom Work
CHERRY
PRODUCTS
Auto Body & Paint
1875 E. Baseline
Cornelius
503-359- 5993
tween the president and his wife from their
courtship on through their marriage. Spanning
nearly 40 years, the correspondence reveals
one of the most intriguing and inspirational part-
nerships in American history. The couple were
apart more than they were together and used let-
ters (addressed to “My Dearest Friend”) to share
their lives, debate current events and address
the concerns of raising their children. This collec-
tion includes letters never before published.
Loving Frank , by Nancy Horan. In this histori-
cal novel, fact and fiction blend together. It
chronicles the love affair between Mamah Borth-
wick Cheney and the architect Frank Lloyd
Wright. Wright was commissioned to design a
home for Mamah and her husband and a rela-
tionship developed between them during the
construction of the home. Mamah struggles with
her roles as mother, wife, lover and intellectual.
Horan takes what had been a footnote in the ar-
chitect’s life and makes it a compelling story that
illuminates Mamah’s influence on Wright.
On the lighter side is Mommies Behaving
Badly , by Roz Bailey, author of Postcards from
Last Summer and Retail Therapy . This witty nov-
el follows the adventures of one woman who’s
discovering a new state and a new state of mind.
When Ruby Dixon’s car is stolen—again—on the
day her husband is offered a job in Portland,
Oregon, it seems clear to her it’s time to give up
stressful New York city. But life in the “bucolic
burb” she lands in takes some adjustment.
Holiday closures:
The library will be closed December 24, 25
and January 1 for the holidays.
Banks Public Library: 111 Market Street.
Hours: Mon., Fri., Sat., 11 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tues., Wed., Thurs., 11 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.;
Preschool Story Time: Wednesdays, 10:15 a.m.
when school is in session
Phone: (503 ) 324-1382 for information
(503) 846-3245 to renew material
Internet: www.wccls.org
Browse library resources, reserve or renew
materials online. Call for information.
SUNSET LAUNDRY
Wash…$1.25 Dry…25¢
180 S. Main St. • Banks, Oregon
S TRASSEL ’ S A UTO R EPAIR & H YDRAULIC H OSES
2-4-6 S PIRAL W IRE • S UCTION H OSES • A DAPTORS - 3/16” TO 2”
A MERICAN & M ETRIC F ITTINGS • B ULK O IL P RODUCTS
276 S UNSET , B ANKS • 503-324-9808