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2009-11-20

2009-11-18

2009-11-05

Agriculture

Lifestyles

Friday, November 06, 2009 12:00 PM

’Tis the season ... for vehicle-deer wrecks

By VICKIE MOSS, Herald Public Affairs Editor

They’re out there.

And for some drivers, they can cause a lot of damage.

Deer mating season has arrived, and with it comes the threat of deer/vehicle accidents.

November is the month with the highest number of deer-vehicle accidents in Kansas, the Kansas Department of Transportation reports. Nov. 17 historically is the date deer/vehicle accidents peak in Kansas, KDOT officials report.

Locally, such crashes began to occur with some frequency in October. Since Oct. 1, more than eight deer-vehicle accidents have been reported to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, records show.

That includes one wreck in which a deputy hit a deer with his patrol car, Sheriff Craig Davis said. The patrol car received minor damage, and the deer ran off.

Deer particularly are active during November and December because November is the deer mating season, KDOT reports.

In addition, deer tend to widen their foraging range as they build up their fat reserves for the winter. And, they often migrate from one foraging range to another during the early winter, exposing themselves to risks, like highways. A reduction in daylight hours also contributes to increased deer-vehicle collisions, according to KDOT.

Last year six people were killed in crashes involving deer in Kansas, and 318 were injured, according to KDOT statistics.

The recent spate of deer-vehicle accidents is about average for this time of year in Franklin County, Davis said. Crashes happen in all parts of the county, he said, although they are more likely near wooded areas and creek beds, and around dusk and dawn.

Drivers can avoid some crashes just by being alert, Davis said.

Davis and KDOT encourage motorists to observe the following tips to avoid deer collisions:

• Reduce your speed and be alert near wooded areas or green spaces like parks or golf courses and near water sources like streams or ponds.

• Slow down when approaching deer standing near the roadside, as deer have a tendency to bolt. Use emergency flashers to warn oncoming drivers if you sight deer near the roadway.

• Be especially watchful at dawn and dusk when deer particularly are active.

• Deer seldom travel alone. Chances are that if you see one deer crossing a road, there are others nearby.

• Don’t swerve to avoid a collision with a deer. The most serious accidents occur when motorists are taking evasive action.

• Watch out for deer crossing signs, and always wear a seat belt.

• If you hit a deer, be sure to pull over onto the shoulder, turn on your emergency flashers and watch for traffic before exiting your vehicle. Do not try to remove a deer from the roadway unless you are certain it is dead. An injured deer could hurt you.

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’Tis the season ... for vehicle-deer wrecks

By VICKIE MOSS, Herald Public Affairs Editor

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article | Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article |
Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.