(Ottawa, ON) –The Ottawa Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police responded to a motor vehicle collision during the start of the morning commute.
At approximately 5:43 am, a motor vehicle collision occurred involving a motorcycle and a deer on Highway 417 westbound near Boundary Road.
The 46 year old male motorcyclist sustained non-life threatening injuries and was transported to an Ottawa area hospital.
Lane reductions were temporarily put in place on Highway 417 westbound near the Boundary Road. All lanes have since been re-opened.
Reminders
According to MTO, crashes involving animals (mainly moose and deer) are a growing problem. Motor vehicle/wild animal collisions increased from 8,964 in 1999 to 12,791 collisions in 2008. This represents an increase of 43 per cent over a 10-year period. Many of these collisions go unreported.
You may encounter domestic, farm or wild animals on the road anywhere in Ontario. Scan the road ahead from shoulder to shoulder. If you see an animal on or near the road, slow down and pass carefully as they may suddenly bolt onto the road. Many areas of the province have animal crossing signs which warn drivers of the danger of large animals (such as moose, deer or cattle) crossing the road. Be cautious when you see these signs, especially during dusk-to-dawn hours when wild animals are most active.
To reduce your chances of hitting an animal:
Reduce speed in darkness, rain and fog. These conditions can reduce your ability to see an animal on or near the road.
Travel at a safe speed and stay alert. Driver inattention and speed are common factors in animal-vehicle crashes.
Watch for shining eyes at the roadside. If you do see shining eyes, slow down and be ready to stop.
Keep your windshield clean and headlights properly adjusted.
Use high beams whenever possible and safe to do so, and scan both sides of the road ahead.
Ministry of Transportation (MTO) – Road Safety Topics:
http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/