Motorists beware: Deer are on the move
Mid-November may be one of the busiest times of the year for people on roads and highways.
But as drivers take to the roads for the holiday, people should be leary of deer herds passing over roads and highways. The species often finds their way onto major roads and highways as a result of the hunting season.
While this may be an exciting time for hunters, it's a good time for motorists to be especially alert. Deer, oblivious to anything but their breeding instincts, may cross highways without regard to speeding vehicles.
While Kansas may not rank among the states with the highest deer/vehicle accidents, the danger is nonetheless real.
According to the Kansas Department of Transportation, there were 9,287 deer-related vehicle accidents in 2002, down from 10,141 in 2001, and 341 injuries, down from 418 in 2001. There was one fatality. According to KDOT, deer vehicle accidents appear to have remained steady since 1997.
Motorists should be extra cautious for the next several weeks, however, especially where highways pass ravines or wooded areas where deer often cross. Particular attention should be given to those areas marked with the familiar deer crossing signs, known as traditional travel lanes for deer. Never swerve to miss a deer; it's better to hit the deer than a telephone pole, tree, or other immovable object.
The vast majority of motorists will never experience a collision with a deer, but the possibility always exists, especially during the rut. Awareness of this fact and a little extra caution can make Kansas highways safer this fall — and the sight of a bounding whitetail becomes a pleasant surprise rather than a heart-pounding one.
