The OPP is urging the motoring public to be alert and aware of their surroundings after police have seen an increase in vehicle collisions involving deer.
Deer-vehicle collision rates increased significantly 1.5 hours on either side of sunrise and sunset. Although there is often signage to warn motorists of higher deer-travelled areas, motorists need to be aware in all areas.
Deer don’t limit their activity on rural roads. Animals have been known to cross busy roadways as well.
Some helpful hints the OPP provide to ensure a safe journey this time of year include:
- Look all around, not just straight ahead. Deer will often run across the road from ditches and protected areas such as stream corridors and woodlots.
- Where you see one deer, expect more. Deer often travel in herds.
- Slow down. The slower you go, the more time you have to react should you encounter a deer
- Deer can move across roads at any time of the day or year but anticipate higher deer movements in the fall and around sunrise & sunset.
- Watch for glowing eyes of deer at night
- Don’t veer for deer. Should a deer run into the path of your vehicle, reduce your speed quickly, steer straight and stay in control.
- Remove all distractions. Give yourself the best chance possible to see and predict where deer might go.
- Buckle up. If you need to stop in a hurry, you want your body restrained to prevent unnecessary injury or possibly death.