Oh, Dear! Don’t Veer For Deer “http://www.wcsjnews.com/content/tncms/live//Local News” wcsjnews.com

Fall is here and while it’s a beautiful time of year as leaves change color, the Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois Department of Natural Resources are reminding motorists that deer mating season has also arrived. That means, from October through December, deer are more active, mainly at dawn and dusk.  Although a collision with a deer can happen any time, we are entering peak season for it.

Last year, more than 42% of crashes involving deer in Illinois occurred in October, November and December, with November being the highest-risk month.  In 2021, 14,522 motor vehicle crashes involved deer in Illinois. Of these, 13,936 resulted in damage to property or vehicles, while 584 caused personal injuries and two fatalities.  Rural environments were the site of more than 72% of all motor vehicle crashes involving deer, with more than 71% occurring at twilight or nighttime. 

Be aware of your surroundings, especially in areas with deer crossing signs. Scan the sides of the road for eye shine or the reflection of headlights in their eyes. Slow down if you see a deer. They travel in groups, so more are likely nearby. Prepare for the unexpected. Deer may stop in the middle of the road.  If a collision is inevitable, don’t veer.

Try to guide your vehicle off the deer while avoiding lanes of oncoming traffic or swerving off the road. Deer can appear suddenly in surprising environments, so be on alert, slow down and pay attention in areas where they are known to travel. If you hit a deer, pull off to the shoulder, turn on your hazard lights and call 911 to report the accident. Do not exit the vehicle to check on an injured deer or pull it from the road. 

Info on how to claim a deer involved in a crash, or report possession of a deer killed in a deer-vehicle crash, go to the IDNR website at: illinois.gov/dnr.