TOPEKA – We have already started to see it here in Reno County, and this time of year, motorists should be especially vigilant for deer crossing the highways. Deer breeding season peaks in mid-November, and this marks the period when deer-vehicle collisions are highest.
That’s why the Kansas Department of Transportation, the Kansas Highway Patrol and the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism are working together to raise awareness and help drivers avoid collisions with deer.
According to wildlife and parks biologist Lloyd Fox, the increase in deer-vehicle crashes is strongly influenced by the deer mating season, called “rut.” During rut, deer focus on mating; they travel more than in other seasons, and pay less attention to hazards such as vehicles. Also during the fall, many deer move to new locations as crops are harvested and leaves fall from trees and shrubs, so they are less secure than in their summer habitats.
Not only are deer more active during the fall, shorter days mean dusk and dawn, when deer are more likely to be on the move, occur when commuter traffic is highest. According to K-DOT spokesperson Steve Swartz, there were 9,109 deer-vehicle collisions reported in 2010. Deer-vehicle collisions occur in every Kansas county.
In most cases, counties with high human populations and high traffic volumes record the most deer-vehicle crashes. Sedgwick County recorded the most crashes with 391, followed by Johnson County with 346 and Butler County with 287.
Motorists should observe the following tips to avoid deer collisions, be especially watchful at dawn and dusk when deer are particularly active. Watch for more than one deer. They seldom travel alone, so if one crosses the road, others may follow;
Reduce speed and be alert near wooded areas or green spaces such as parks or golf courses and near water sources such as streams or ponds.
Don’t swerve to avoid hitting a deer, with the most serious accidents occur when motorists swerve and collide with another vehicle or run off the road and hit an obstacle.
Heed deer crossing signs, always wear a seat belt, and use bright lights and slow down whenever the reflective eyes of deer are spotted.
According to Technical Trooper Josh Kellerman of the Kansas Highway Patrol, if you hit a deer, pull 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.
If you have a cellular phone and are on a Kansas highway, dial *47 (*HP) for a highway patrol dispatcher or *582 (*KTA) for assistance on the Kansas Turnpike, or dial 911 for local law enforcement.
Anyone involved in a vehicle-deer crash that results in personal injury or property damage that totals a thousand dollars or more is required to immediately report the crash to the nearest law enforcement agency. Failure to report any traffic crash is a misdemeanor and may result in suspension of driving privileges.
If you’re involved in a non-injury crash on an interstate, U.S. highway, or any divided or multi-lane road in the state, and if you are not transporting hazardous materials, you are required by law to move your vehicle out of the lane of traffic. This law is intended to help keep drivers and passengers safe by getting them out of the lane of traffic, and away from oncoming vehicles.
Make sure you and your passengers are buckled up and are using the appropriate child safety seats, which are the best ways to prevent injuries or death should you be involved in a crash.