Watch Out For Deer

I written about it before. But, after hearing three people today tell me that they had hit deer this weekend, I figure it’s worth a reminder, as did the Minnesota Department of Public Safety:

“Don’t veer for deer.”

DPS says that from 2007 through 2009 there were over 8,000 deer-vehicle crashes, including 19 deaths and 65 injuries. Sixteen of those people who died were on motorcycles.

Motorist Safety Tips for Deer:
• Drive at safe speeds, be buckled up, and be prepared and alert for deer.

• Don’t swerve to avoid a deer. Swerving can cause motorists to lose control and travel off the road or into oncoming traffic. The best defense is to buckle up and brake.

• Don’t count on deer whistles or deer fences to deter deer from crossing roads.

• Watch for the reflection of deer eyes and for deer silhouettes on the shoulder of the road. If anything looks slightly suspicious, slow down.

• Slow down in areas known to have a large deer population; where deer-crossing signs are posted; places where deer commonly cross roads; areas where roads divide agricultural fields from forest land; and whenever in forested areas between dusk and dawn.

• Deer do unpredictable things. Sometimes they stop in the middle of the road when crossing. Sometimes they cross and quickly re-cross back from where they came; sometimes they move toward an approaching vehicle. Assume nothing. Slow down; blow your horn to urge the deer to leave the road. Stop if the deer stays on the road; don’t try to go around it.

• Any Minnesota resident may claim a road-killed animal by contacting a law enforcement officer. An authorization permit will be issued allowing the individual to lawfully possess the deer.

———————————————————-

The best news was that the three people weren’t hurt. They have the hassle of the car damage. But, over time we have seen the damage these collisions can cause.