KANSAS CITY, Kan. — It’s that point of yr once more when the temperature cools down, the leaves begin altering colours and one in all “Bambi’s” relative’s decides to expire in entrance of your car!
Crashes involving deer significantly enhance from now till the tip of the yr due to breeding season, with November usually the height time, based on the Kansas Division of Transportation.
KDOT, together with the Kansas Freeway Patrol, the Kansas Division of Wildlife and Parks, AAA Kansas and the Kansas Turnpike Authority are working to boost consciousness and assist lower car crashes involving deer.
Throughout Kansas, 37% of all single-vehicle crashes in 2022 concerned a collision with a deer. KDOT experiences six individuals have been killed and 575 individuals have been injured in crashes with deer final yr.
KHP Captain Candice Breshears says if a deer enters the roadway in entrance of your automotive, it’s finest to hit the animal and never swerve to keep away from it.
“We discover extra severe crashes happen whenever you swerve to overlook the deer, probably dropping management of your car, leaving the street or veering into oncoming site visitors,” Breshears stated.
Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas stated deer may be unpredictable, so even one of the best drivers are in danger.
“Along with the inconvenience of your car harm, the price of repairs might put a severe dent in your pockets,” Steward stated. “AAA insurance coverage statistics point out that the common declare in Kansas for an animal strike in 2022 was virtually $7,000 – up greater than 60% in simply 5 years.”
Anybody concerned in a collision with a deer or different animal leading to private harm or property harm totaling $1,000 or extra is required to right away report the incident to the closest regulation enforcement company.
Roadway security officers recommend drivers:
- Be particularly watchful at daybreak and nightfall when deer are extra energetic.
- For those who see one deer, count on others, as deer seldom journey alone.
- Be alert and scale back speeds close to wooded areas or inexperienced areas and close to water sources
resembling streams and ponds. - Deer crossing indicators present areas the place excessive numbers of vehicle-deer collisions have
occurred up to now; however they will occur on any roadway, together with metropolis streets. - Don’t swerve to keep away from hitting a deer. Motorists might then veer into oncoming
site visitors, run off the street, hit objects or overturn. - Use vivid headlights when there isn’t any oncoming site visitors and scan for the reflective
eyes of deer. - If a collision happens, transfer the car to the roadway’s shoulder. Then, if potential,
name regulation enforcement – KHP dispatch at *47, the Kansas Turnpike at *KTA or native
regulation enforcement at 911. - Put the car’s hazard lights on, whether or not it’s gentle or darkish exterior.
- Stay within the car together with your seat belt mounted to be higher protected.
- Contact your insurance coverage firm to report any car harm.
