OPP to drivers: don"t veer for deer
Last week alone, local police investigated 11 vehicle-deer collisions.
During the months of October and November, Wellington County OPP officials are asking drivers to be more alert due to an increase in deer movement.
“Knowing how deer move during this time of year is critical in avoiding a wildlife collision,” police stated in a press release.
In an effort to minimize the chances of being involved in a collision with deer, the OPP offers the following tips:
- be especially attentive from sunset to midnight and during the hours shortly before and after sunrise (these are the highest risk times for collisions);
- drive with caution when moving through areas known to have a large deer population (deer seldom run alone so if you see one deer, others may be nearby:
- when driving at night, use high beam headlights when there is no oncoming traffic (they better illuminate eyes of deer on or near the road);
- slow down and blow your horn with one long blast to frighten the deer away;
- brake firmly when you notice a deer in or near your path, but stay in your lane. (many serious crashes occur when drivers swerve to avoid a deer and hit another vehicle or lose control of their own vehicle);
- always wear your seat belt (most people injured in car-deer collisions are not wearing their seat belt); and
- don’t rely on devices such as deer whistles, deer fences and reflectors to deter deer.
Reporting mandatory
If involved in a collision with a deer, or any other animal, that results in personal injury and/or vehicle damage exceeding $2,000 you must report the collision to the police.
