Illinois motorists being warned to be alert for deer
This time of year can be extremely dangerous in low-lying areas, wooded areas close to roadways and cultivated fields when deer move near the roadways. According to the Illinois Insurance Journal, claims involving collisions with deer are on the rise in Illinois. Deer-car accidents have risen almost 25 percent in the past two years.
Greene, Pike and Hardin county residents are five times more likely to hit a deer according to the Illinois Insurance Journal. In 2007, crashes involving deer, resulted in 5 fatalities. In 2006 only one person was killed in a deer-vehicle accident.
It can be more dangerous to swerve to avoid hitting a deer. According to Illinois State Police District 18 Safety Education Officer Douglas Francis, "Most serious crashes involving deer result from the evasive maneuver by the driver in an attempt to miss the deer. The resultant head-on collision with another vehicle or fixed object crash can cause extensive injury or death."
The best thing to do to avoid hitting the deer is steering or braking while staying in your own lane or driving on the shoulder. Hitting the deer can cause a lot of damage to your car, but the occupants of the car are usually uninjured.
TIPS FOR AVOIDING DEER
Deer are most active at dawn and dusk. Be particularly careful at these times of the day.
Drive slower on roads where deer may be present. Be prepared to stop.
Be sure the deer have moved away from the roadway before proceeding. They may double back across the road.
A single deer may be followed by other deer.
Remember where deer have been spotted in the past.
Do not swerve into oncoming traffic to avoid hitting a deer. Try to slow down and wait for the deer to move from the road.
Flash your headlights from bright to dim or honk your horn to encourage the deer to clear the roadway.
Motorcycle drivers should wear helmets to aovid serious injuries in deer-vehicle collisions.
