Fall has arrived, and with it, deer collision season. Deer hunting and mating season means that motorists need to be extra cautious of deer-car collisions that increasingly occur around this time of year.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration there are about 1.5 million car accidents with deer each year that result in $1 billion in vehicle damage, about 150 human fatalities, and over 10,000 personal injuries.
SO — Stay aware, awake, and sober…
Car-deer crashes happen year-round, but are more likely during spring and fall, and at dusk and dawn so drivers should take extra precautions during these times
Pay attention to deer crossing and speed limit signs. Deer are creatures of habit and signs are installed at known deer crossing areas to alert you
Deer are herd animals, and frequently travel single file. If you see one whitetail, watch for others as another might not be far behind
ALWAYS wear a safety belt. It is your best defense against injury in any roadway crash
Multiple independent studies have found that “Deer whistles” are not effective at warding off deer so even if you have one, remain vigilant
In the event that a crash is unavoidable,don’t swerve. Brake firmly, stay in your lane, hold the steering wheel, and come to a controlled stop
Pull off the road. Turn on your emergency flashers and be cautious of traffic if you leave your vehicle
Don’t try to remove a deer from a roadway unless you are convinced it’s dead. A wounded deer can cause serious injuries.
Make sure you cell phone is charged so that you can call for help.
If your cat loves to drink water from a running tap, consider getting a drinking fountain for her. Cats in the wild drink running water and a pet drinking fountain recreates this in the home.