Community Corner

Darting Deer More Frequent in June

DOT says June is a bad month for deer and vehicle collisions.

State transportation officials are urging motorists to be on the lookout for roaming deer when they hit the roads this month.

During June, deer are looking for places to give birth and young deer separate from their mothers. As a result, drivers may encounter more deer darting into the paths of their vehicles without warning, the DOT says.

Although motor vehicle collisions with deer peak in the fall, June is one of the worst months for driver and passenger injuries due to vehicle collisions with deer.

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In four of the last five years, June ranked as the worst or second worst month for motorists injured from deer crashes, said the DOT's Randy Romanski.

“Of course, the best way to prevent injuries is to avoid crashes by driving cautiously and slowing down," Romanski said in a press release. "You also must be buckled up in case a crash can’t be avoided. Motorcyclists must be especially careful because collisions with deer can be fatal to motorcycle drivers and passengers. Motorcycles were involved in 12 of the 13 fatal deer versus motor vehicle crashes in 2010.”

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Deer are the third most commonly struck object in Wisconsin traffic crashes, behind collisions with another vehicle or a fixed object. 

Here are some tips for the DOT to avoid hitting deer and what to do if you get into an accident involving a deer.

  • Be vigilant in early morning and evening hours, the most active time for deer.
  • Eliminate distractions while driving and don’t speed.
  • Always wear your safety belt — there are fewer and less severe injuries in crashes when safety belts are worn.
  • If you see a deer by the side of the road, slow down and blow your horn with one long blast to frighten the deer away.
  • When you see one deer, look for another one — deer seldom run alone.
  • If you find a deer looming in your headlights, don't expect the deer to move away. Headlights can confuse a deer and cause the animal to freeze.
  • Brake firmly when you notice a deer in or near your path. Do not swerve. It can confuse the deer as to where to run. It can also cause you to lose control and hit a tree or another car.
  • If your vehicle strikes a deer, stay in your vehicle and do not touch the animal if it is still alive. That's because the injured deer, in attempting to move, could hurt you or itself. Also, walking or stopping on the highway is very dangerous - you could be hit by an oncoming vehicle if you get out of your car. If you do strike a deer, get your car off the road if possible, and call law enforcement.


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