(QUINTE WEST, ON) – Over the past 3 days, officers from the Quinte West detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police have had to deal with 3 collisions between vehicles and deer. With autumn upon us deer are moving around more frequently and venturing out onto the roadways. The following is a list of tips to help avoid a collision with a deer.
Most accidents involving collisions with deer frequently happen in October, November & December as deer increase their movements due to breeding activities. The Ministry of Natural Resources has reported that deer density in some areas in Ontario is as high as 14 deer per square kilometer.
November is the peak month of the year for colliding with deer in Ontario. They commonly occur between dusk and dawn when animals venture out to feed. Two lane roads in agricultural areas are risky areas, but these accidents also occur in densely populated areas and near new road construction.
Here are Safety Tips to help you to avoid hitting a deer:
Be alert at dusk and dawn and use your high beams if no traffic is approaching.
Always obey the speed limit and wear seat belts.
Slow down and pay close attention in areas posted with deer crossing signs, areas known to have large deer populations, and areas where roads divide agricultural fields and bush.
Have your passenger survey the surrounding fields and roadsides as you are driving.
Deer travel in groups; never assume there’s only one deer crossing the road.
Turn on your four way flashers to let other motorists know about the potential danger.
Deer tend to fixate on headlights, flashing them may be enough for the animal to move.
If you spot a deer in the road, slow down and blow your horn to frighten it away.
An injured deer, frightened and wounded, can be dangerous. Call the police and try to stay away from the deer.