Ontario Provincial Police are urging residents in the region to keep an eye out for wildlife on the road.
All motorists are being warned not to veer for deer and to maintain alert and aware of their surroundings after police investigated vehicle collisions involving deer.
Deer-vehicle collision rates increase significantly 1.5 hours on either side of sunset and sunrise. Although there is often signage to warn motorists of higher deer-travelled areas, deer have been known to cross both rural and busy roadways.
Here are some helpful hints from the OPP to ensure a safe journey during this season:
- Look all around, not just straight ahead. Deer will often run across the road from ditches and protected areas such as stream corridors and woodlots.
- Where you see one deer, expect more. Deer often travel in herds.
- Slow down. The slower you go; the more time you have to react should you encounter a deer.
- Watch for glowing eyes of deer at night.
- Don’t veer for deer. Should a deer run into the path of your vehicle, reduce your speed quickly, steer straight and stay in control.
- Remove all distractions. Give yourself the best chance possible to see and predict where deer might go.
- Buckle up. If you need to stop in a hurry, you want your body restrained to prevent unnecessary injury or possibly death.
For more information on how to protect yourself and wildlife on the road click here.
