Community Corner

Crashes More Likely with Deer Rutting

Follow these simple driving tips to avoid wayward deer.

Pity the poor deer.

It's brains are so scrambled by hormones during the October-January rutting season that it does not look where it is going and will step right into the path of a moving vehicle.

Then pity the poor motorist.

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A deer will step, jump, run, dart right in front of a vehicle so quickly that even the most powerful brakes on earth cannot stop it in time.

"PennDOT statistics show nearly half of all reportable crashes in the past five years involving deer occurred in the months of October and November, with nearly 77 percent taking place between 5 p.m. and 7 a.m.," according to PennDOT.

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Simply put, deer are most active between dusk and dawn and are particularly busy during mating season. Hunting season doesn't make things easier; deer are on the run then also.

More than 3,000 crashes involving deer were reported last year in Pennsylvania, resulting in more than 600 injuries and eight fatalities, PennDOT statistics show.

Driving on the hilly, curved roads through the Pine-Richland area is already a challenge. Knowing a deer could jump in front of you at any time is especially scary.

Headlights catch the glow of their eyes on just about every road in Pine and Richland townships. Some suggestions from PennDOT to reduce the risk of a deer-related crash:

  • Motorists should slow down and be especially cautious during morning and evening hours.
  • Drivers should also increase following distance between vehicles, especially where deer-crossing signs are posted.
  • Deer often travel in herds, so if you see one deer crossing the road, there’s a strong chance that others will follow.
  • Wear your seatbelt in case you and a deer collide.

If a collision is unavoidable and you are wondering what to do about that deer carcass, first you need to figure out if you are on a state-maintained road. If you are, call 1-800-FIX-ROAD and PennDOT will remove it. If you are not on a state road, call the Pennsylvania Game Commission at 724-238-5639.

The best thing to do is call 911 or your local police departments (Click on the link to find info on , , and ). The police will summon medical help or a tow truck if you need it. Police also will write a report, which comes in handy when your insurance company asks for it.

This story originally appeared on Pine-Richland Patch


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