WASHINGTON -- Here's something Mainers might want to know: a new study by an auto insurance-funded highway safety group says fatalities from vehicle crashes with deer and other animals have more than doubled over the last 15 years.

The news comes as November, the peak month for vehicle-deer collisions, rolls around.

The report by the Highway Loss Data Institute found that 223 people died in animal-vehicle crashes in 2007. In 2000 that number was 150 and in 1993, 101 people died in animal-vehicle crashes. According to the report, which can be viewed in full by visiting the Highway Loss Data Institute Website most accidents involving animals are with deer.

The states with the largest total number of deaths from said crashes between 1993 to 2007 are Texas with 227, Wisconsin with 123 and Pennsylvania with 112.

Maine had 42 deaths due to animal collisions in that same time period; the institute doesn't track what type of animal those collisions involved. The state with the lowest count was Rhode Island, with only one death during those 15 years.

The Highway Loss Data Institute and its sister organization, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, looked at both insurance claims and federal crash data to compile the information.

While deer on the road is no new hazard for Mainers, it seems it is something urbanites must get used to.

"Urban sprawl means suburbia and deer habitat intersect in many parts of the country," said Kim Hazelbaker, the Highway Loss Data Institute's senior vice president. "If you're driving in areas where deer are prevalent, the caution flag is out, especially in November."

Copyright 2008 Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.