|
|
|
Deer can be spotted near Kansas roadways any time of year, but motorists should be especially vigilant in the fall, during the beeding season known as “rut”.
According to the Kanas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism biologist Lloyd Fox, the increase in deer-vehicle crashes at this time of year is strongly influenced by the rut. During rut, deer travel more than in other seasons and pay less attention to hazards such as vehicles. Also during the fall, many deer move to new locations as crops are harvested and leaves fall from trees and shrubs, limiting cover.
Not only are deer more active during the fall, shorter days mean dusk and dawn, when deer are more likely to be on the move, occur when commuter traffic is busiest. According to KDOT spokesperson Steve Swartz, there were 9,109 deer-vehicle collisions reported in 2010.
KDOT sugests a number of tips to avoid deer collisions. Be especially watchful at dawn and dusk when deer are particularly active, watch for more than one deer (if one crosses the road, others may follow), reduce speed and be alert near wooded areas or green spaces such as parks or golf courses and near water sources such as streams or ponds. If you do see a dear, don’t swerve to avoid hitting it. Statistically the most serious accidents occur when motorists swerve and collide with another vehicle or run off the road and hit an obstacle. Always heed deer crossing signs, always wear a seat belt; and
use bright lights and slow down whenever the reflective eyes of deer are spotted.
According to Trooper Josh Kellerman of KHP, if you hit a deer, pull onto the shoulder, turn on your emergency flashers, and watch for traffic before exiting your vehicle. Do not try to remove a deer from the roadway unless you are certain it is dead; an injured deer is dangerous. If you have a cellular phone and are on a Kansas highway, dial *47 (*HP) for a highway patrol dispatcher or *582 (*KTA) for assistance on the Kansas Turnpike, or dial 911 from anywhere.
For more information, phone Swartz (KDOT) at 785-296-3585 or email stevesw@ksdot.org; Kellerman (KHP) at 785-296-6800; or Ron Kaufman (KDWPT) at 785-296-2870
Deer can be spotted near Kansas roadways any time of year, but motorists should be especially vigilant in the fall, during the beeding season known as “rut”.
According to the Kanas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism biologist Lloyd Fox, the increase in deer-vehicle crashes at this time of year is strongly influenced by the rut. During rut, deer travel more than in other seasons and pay less attention to hazards such as vehicles. Also during the fall, many deer move to new locations as crops are harvested and leaves fall from trees and shrubs, limiting cover.
Not only are deer more active during the fall, shorter days mean dusk and dawn, when deer are more likely to be on the move, occur when commuter traffic is busiest. According to KDOT spokesperson Steve Swartz, there were 9,109 deer-vehicle collisions reported in 2010.
KDOT sugests a number of tips to avoid deer collisions. Be especially watchful at dawn and dusk when deer are particularly active, watch for more than one deer (if one crosses the road, others may follow), reduce speed and be alert near wooded areas or green spaces such as parks or golf courses and near water sources such as streams or ponds. If you do see a dear, don’t swerve to avoid hitting it. Statistically the most serious accidents occur when motorists swerve and collide with another vehicle or run off the road and hit an obstacle. Always heed deer crossing signs, always wear a seat belt; and
use bright lights and slow down whenever the reflective eyes of deer are spotted.
According to Trooper Josh Kellerman of KHP, if you hit a deer, pull onto the shoulder, turn on your emergency flashers, and watch for traffic before exiting your vehicle. Do not try to remove a deer from the roadway unless you are certain it is dead; an injured deer is dangerous. If you have a cellular phone and are on a Kansas highway, dial *47 (*HP) for a highway patrol dispatcher or *582 (*KTA) for assistance on the Kansas Turnpike, or dial 911 from anywhere.
For more information, phone Swartz (KDOT) at 785-296-3585 or email stevesw@ksdot.org; Kellerman (KHP) at 785-296-6800; or Ron Kaufman (KDWPT) at 785-296-2870
