Drivers are once again being reminded to watch out for deer after the Grey Bruce Ontario Provincie Police (OPP) reported more than a dozen collisions involving deer in a span of one week.
According to the OPP, between October 23 and October 30, officers responded to 15 collisions involving vehicles and deer. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported in any of the crashes.
But police remind drivers that there are ways to lower the risk of hitting deer while driving on area roadways.
Police say drivers should:
Be especially attentive from sunset to midnight and during the hours shortly before and after sunrise. These are the highest risk times for deer-vehicle collisions.
Drive with caution when moving through areas known to have a large deer population. As deer seldom run alone, if you see one deer, others may be 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 roadway.
Slow down and blow your horn with one long blast to frighten the deer away.
Slow down. The slower you go; the more time you have to react should you encounter a deer.
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.
Always wear your seat belt. Most people injured in deer-vehicle crashes were not wearing their seat belt.
Do not rely on devices such as deer whistles, deer fences and reflectors to deter deer.
