Video: Troopers Warn Deer Vehicle Collisions Increase in October and November
OutdoorHub Reporters 10.09.18
State troopers are reminding drivers on the roadways that a majority of deer vehicle collisions occur in the months of October and November, as mating season – also known as the rut – is fast approaching.
According to crash reports online, there are roughly 1.5 million deer-involved car crashes on an annual bases. Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, and Ohio are among the top ten states for fatal deer collisions every year.
Maybe it’s happened to you before, but deer seem to have a knack for popping up out of nowhere. Knowing how to react in such an instance can dramatically reduce your chances of being involved in an accident.
Don’t Swerve
It almost seems counterintuitive, but attempting to swerve out of the way when a deer runs in front of your car is actually the worst thing you could do. Swerving can potentially result in crashing with another car in oncoming traffic, crashing into trees, or even rolling over. You’re body’s natural instincts will automatically try to steer you out of harm’s way, but if you can train yourself to not swerve when deer jump in the road you will keep yourself, your passengers, and other drivers on the road much safer.
Here’s a video demonstrating just how fast a deer vs. vehicle collision can occur:
