The Kansas Highway Patrol is advising motorists to be cautious of deer activity on or around Kansas roadways.
Deer-breeding season generally runs from October into December, and law enforcement officers investigate a large number of deer accidents during this time of year.
"By staying alert and paying more attention to the road and roadside, you may decrease your chances of colliding with a deer," said Col. William Seck, KHP superintendent.
The Highway Patrol offers the following safety tips:
- Intentionally look for deer, especially at dawn and dusk, peak movement times for deer.
- Slow down near woods, parks, golf courses, streams and deer-crossing signs.
- When one deer crosses the road, there are often others about to cross.
- Slow down when approaching deer standing near roadsides. Deer have the tendency to bolt, possibly into the roadway.
- Use emergency flashers to warn oncoming drivers after you see deer near the roadway.
- Always wear your seat belt. Statistics show that most people injured or killed in deer-related collisions were not wearing seat belts.
- Do not take unsafe evasive action. It is usually safer to strike the deer than another object such as another vehicle.
According to the Kansas Department of Transportation, 9,108 deer-related accidents occurred in Kansas in 2003, causing 332 injuries and one death.
If you hit a deer, the patrol recommends you pull onto the shoulder, turn on emergency flashers and watch for traffic while getting out of the vehicle. Motorists should not try to remove deer from the road.
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