Deer make night driving on Illinois suburban roads dangerous
Fall is mating season, for deer that is... Which means that drivers need to exercise extra caution on area roadways.
More than a half-a-million deer-car crashed occur annually in the US. The majority happen during November and December, mating season for the deer. According to the Insurance Information Institute, once you factor in the damage to the vehicle and injuries, the average cost per accident is approximately $10,000.
These accidents are occurring not just in suburban areas, but in the outlying areas of the city.
According to a study by State Farm Insurance, Illinois' ranking for deer car collisions is third in the country with Pennsylvania having the highest number of crashes and Michigan being second.
Here are some tips to help you avoid a crash with a deer:
• Be vigilant during early morning and evening hours when deer are most active.
• Use your high-beam headlights, which will reflect in the deer’s eyes so you can see them better.
• Blow your horn with one long blast to frighten a deer away.
• Brake firmly rather than swerving, which confuses a deer trying to dodge your car (and you can run off the road or hit another car).
• Deer seldom run alone. When you see one, look out for another.
• Pay attention to deer crossing signs — they really are there for a reason.
• If you hit a deer, don’t touch it. Injured animals can hurt you or themselves more. Move your car off the road and call police.
