It’s that time of year again, when mating is on the minds of Wisconsin deer, and Wisconsin drivers need to be cautious about the increased activity.
The Department of Transportation this week issued its annual reminder that October and November are the mating season for deer, and they soon will increase their activity, particularly at dusk and dawn while moving back and forth between their bedding and feeding areas.
As they roam, deer may dart unexpectedly onto roads and into the path of vehicles.
Shawano County had the second highest number of deer vs. motor vehicle crashes last year with 725, just behind Dane County with 863. Waukesha County was third with 700.
In Shawano and Green Lake counties, more than half of all reported crashes in 2014 involved deer. Deer are the third most commonly struck objects in Wisconsin traffic crashes (behind other vehicles and fixed objects).
Last year, Wisconsin law enforcement agencies reported a total of 18,312 deer vs. motor vehicle crashes, according to the DOT.
“To avoid hitting deer with your vehicle, you should slow down whenever you see them nearby. If you see one deer, there are probably more in the area,” said David Pabst, director of the WisDOT Bureau of Transportation Safety.
“If you can’t avoid a deer in the road, it’s safer to hit the brakes and hit the deer than to swerve suddenly and try to miss it,” he said. “If you swerve, you risk losing control of your vehicle. You may end up hitting another car or a stationary object like a tree.”
Motorcyclists must be especially careful because deer crashes can be fatal. Motorcycles were involved in eight of the 10 fatal deer vs. motor vehicle crashes in Wisconsin last year.
“The one exception to the ‘don’t swerve’ recommendation applies to motorcyclists,” Pabst said. “Motorcyclists should slow down, brake firmly and then swerve if necessary to avoid hitting the deer. If they must swerve, motorcyclists should try to stay within their driving lane to avoid hitting other vehicles or objects.”
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