WELLINGTON CTY. – November marks the start of the deer’s mating season.
OPP Constable Mark Cloes reported that studies have shown that deer activities are somewhat consistent this time of the year. Insight about their movements, could be essential to avoiding a collision with deer this fall.
Cloes said recently that in a three day span in Wellington County, there were 10 car-and-deer collisions. The OPP reminds motorists of a few simple tips that might reduce people’s chance of becoming involved with a deer collision.
– be especially attentive from sunset to midnight and during the hours shortly before and after sunrise. Those are the highest risk times for deer and vehicle collisions;
– drive with caution when moving through deer-crossing zones, in areas where roads divide agricultural fields from forest land. Deer seldom run alone. If there is one deer, others are likely 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 road so that they look like small green lights;
– slow down and blow a 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 drivers swerve to avoid a deer and hit another vehicle or lose control of their cars; and
– always wear your seat belt. Most people injured in car and deer crashes were not wearing their seat belt; and
– do not rely on devices such as deer whistles, deer fences or reflectors to scare away deer. Those devices have not been proven to reduce deer-vehicle collisions.
Cloes said to remember the first priority is safety and drivers need to use caution on roads near a forested area with a creek nearby.
