10-23-2004, 08:23 PM
Motorists are advised to slow down and exercise caution after dark this time of year to reduce the likelihood of encounters with deer along roadways, according to Bill Jensen, big game biologist for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.
October, November and December are peak months for deer-vehicle accidents because of increased deer activity during breeding season, young-of-the-year deer are dispersing from their home ranges, and movements from fall cover to wintering cover.
"Drivers are reminded that vigilance is the best defense," Jensen said. "Most deer-vehicle collisions occur during the dawn and dusk hours when deer are most active."
Many collisions in late fall happen during morning and evening hours when motorists are driving to and from work. Twenty-two percent of deer-vehicle accidents occur between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m., while 13 percent fall between 5:30 and 7:30 a.m. An estimated 88 percent occur when it's dark or light is limited.
Deer-vehicle collisions have increased gradually over the past decade. Approximately 42 percent of annual deer-vehicle collisions occur during October, November and December, with 20 percent occurring from Oct. 25 - Nov. 25.
Deer-vehicle accidents are at times unavoidable. However, a few precautions can minimize injury or property damage in a deer-vehicle crash.
* Always wear a seat belt.
* Don't swerve or take the ditch to avoid hitting a deer. Try to brake as much as possible and stay on the roadway. Don't lose control of the vehicle or slam into something else to miss the deer. Your risk for injury is reduced by hitting the deer.
* When you see one deer cross the road, look for a second or third deer to follow.
* If you spot deer ahead, slow down immediately and honk your horn.
* Pay attention on roadways posted with Deer Crossing Area caution signs. They are there for good reason.
* No published research supports the effectiveness of deer whistles on vehicles. Deer can't hear ultrasonic frequencies.
(Source: American Family Insurance.)
[signature]
October, November and December are peak months for deer-vehicle accidents because of increased deer activity during breeding season, young-of-the-year deer are dispersing from their home ranges, and movements from fall cover to wintering cover.
"Drivers are reminded that vigilance is the best defense," Jensen said. "Most deer-vehicle collisions occur during the dawn and dusk hours when deer are most active."
Many collisions in late fall happen during morning and evening hours when motorists are driving to and from work. Twenty-two percent of deer-vehicle accidents occur between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m., while 13 percent fall between 5:30 and 7:30 a.m. An estimated 88 percent occur when it's dark or light is limited.
Deer-vehicle collisions have increased gradually over the past decade. Approximately 42 percent of annual deer-vehicle collisions occur during October, November and December, with 20 percent occurring from Oct. 25 - Nov. 25.
Deer-vehicle accidents are at times unavoidable. However, a few precautions can minimize injury or property damage in a deer-vehicle crash.
* Always wear a seat belt.
* Don't swerve or take the ditch to avoid hitting a deer. Try to brake as much as possible and stay on the roadway. Don't lose control of the vehicle or slam into something else to miss the deer. Your risk for injury is reduced by hitting the deer.
* When you see one deer cross the road, look for a second or third deer to follow.
* If you spot deer ahead, slow down immediately and honk your horn.
* Pay attention on roadways posted with Deer Crossing Area caution signs. They are there for good reason.
* No published research supports the effectiveness of deer whistles on vehicles. Deer can't hear ultrasonic frequencies.
(Source: American Family Insurance.)
[signature]