Watch Out for Deer on Roadways

It’s deer mating season again, which means drivers are being asked to take extra precautions.

Although deer-vehicle collisions dropped by nearly 8% in 2010 statewide, highway patrol trooper Jeff Fowler said the Zanesville post reported 111 crashes from October through December of last year.  He said some of these accidents are caused by drivers swerving to avoid deer.

"We have a lot of crashes where people say that they swerve to miss a deer, and they end up striking a pole or tree," said Fowler.  "We just try to stress that if there is a deer, it’s dangerous to swerve.  It’s always better to hit the deer than to swerve and cause a crash involving a pole, tree or another more dangerous situation."

Fowler said there haven’t been any fatal deer-vehicle collisions in several years, but the damage can still be devastating.  He said hunting season plays a role in the number of crashes.

"The deer hunting seasons always cause more movement in the deer population," said Fowler.  "Bow season started September 23rd and runs through February.  Gun season comes in November and lasts a week.  A lot more hunters are pushing deer that time of year."

The highway patrol is advising drivers to use high beams when possible, pay attention to road signs and reduce speed between dusk and dawn.