Collisions with deer on the rise

November 20, 2015 · 0 Comments

Grey County OPP continue to investigate several motor vehicle collisions involving deer throughout their jurisdiction.
This past October, OPP, investigated a total of 38 motor vehicle collisions involving deer and other wildlife.
Between November 1st and 8 a.m. on November 18th, Grey County OPP has already investigated 36 collisions involving deer alone; seven (7) of which occurred in the last 24 hours. No injuries have been reported.
In an effort to minimize the chances of being involved in a collision with deer, Grey County OPP offer 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 deer-vehicle collisions. Drive with caution when moving through areas known to have a large deer population. Remember – deer seldom run alone. If you see one deer, others may be nearby.
When driving at night, use high beam headlights when there is no oncoming traffic. The high beams will better illuminate the eyes of deer on or near the roadway.
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 driver swerves to avoid a deer and hits another vehicle or loses control of their own vehicle.
Always wear your seat belt. Most people who are injured in car-deer collisions were not wearing their seat belt.
Don’t rely on devices such as deer whistles, deer fences and reflectors to deter deer.
Slow down, stay in control and stay alert.
Should you be involved in a collision with a deer, or any other animal, which results in personal injury to you or your passenger(s) and/or where the vehicle damage apparently exceeds $2,000, you must report the collision to police.