Officials warn motorists of deer-vehicle crashes

State officials urge motorists to take precautions to avoid deer-vehicle accidents, especially during the fall months when most crashes occur.

The peak time for deer herd movement - and the danger of crashes - occurs in early to mid-November.

Last year, two people died in deer-vehicle collisions and 474 were injured, the Minnesota Department of Transportation reported. During the last five years, deer-vehicle crashes have accounted for 25 traffic deaths.

The issue of vehicle-deer crashes becomes more critical as traffic volumes increase and development extends further into rural areas.

"The best advice is don't 'veer for deer,'" said Kathy Swanson, director of the state Department of Public Safety Office of Traffic Safety. "It's safer to hit a deer than to swerve into oncoming traffic or off the side of the road and risk hitting another vehicle or roadside object."

Swanson said if motorists encounter a deer in the roadway, apply brakes firmly, hold onto the steering wheel and bring the vehicle to a controlled stop. All vehicle occupants should always use seat belts to reduce the possibility of death or injury, and to avoid being ejected from the vehicle in case of a crash.

Drivers can improve their safety by following these suggestions, MnDOT reports:

Drivers should slow down and prepare to stop as soon as they see a deer; it is much safer to stop than to take evasive action.

When people see a deer, they should watch for additional animals as they may travel in small groups.

Deer are most active at dawn and dusk which is when most deer-vehicle crashes occur.

Deer eyes may reflect in headlights and drivers should be alert for that.

Drivers should scan roadsides; deer frequently feed in the roadways and may not be noticed by drivers if they are constantly looking straight ahead.

If a person hits a deer, they should call 911. Law enforcement officers will assist with injuries and write a report to provide to insurance company.

It is illegal to take a deer without a permit. People who hit a deer or find a deer carcass, must obtain a permit to tag the deer before it can be legally transported. All law enforcement officers can issue such a permit.

Drive at safe speeds and observe posted speed limits.

Use seat belts - which MnDOT says is the best defense in case of a crash. A statewide seat belt enforcement campaign continues through Oct. 30.

In the coming weeks, nearly 500,000 hunters will take to Minnesota's woods and fields in hope of harvesting a white-tailed deer. In some areas of the state with high deer population densities, hunters will be able to harvest multiple deer in an effort to reduce local deer populations.

More information is available on the DPS Web site at www.dps.state.mn.us/ots.