November deer accidents hit five-year high
By JENNIFER WILSON
News editor
The number of deer-related accidents in the month of November hasn't been this high since 1998, according to reports from the Marion County Sheriff's Office.
Thirty-four deer-related accidents occurred in November on county roads, according to sheriff's reports. That number hasn't been this high since 1999, when 30 deer accidents took place in November.
That number was 24 in 2001, 20 in 2000, 30 in 1999, and 21 in 1998.
Most deer accidents typically occur in November, since the animal's mating season runs from November through December. They're more active during that time and, therefore, more likely to cross roads and highways.
In fact, Nov. 17 is designated "Deer D-Day" by the Kansas Department of Transportation.
But in Marion County this year, "Deer D-Day" took place on Nov. 20. At least five deer collisions were reported for that day.
According to KDOT, deer collisions are much more prevalent today than they were two decades ago. In 1980, there were 1,395 deer-auto crashes in Kansas. That number jumped to 10,184 in 2001.
However, that upward trend isn't always the case in Marion County. As of Tuesday, there had been just 42 total deer accidents for the entire year. Right now, that total is the lowest since 1998, when 46 total accidents took place in that year.
That yearly total escalated to 71 in 1999, then decreased to 52 in 2000 and 64 in 2001.
This year had been fairly light, with just two accidents in September, two in October, and two in December (as of Monday). November is the exception.
To avoid deer collisions, follow these tips:
— Drive slowly near wooded areas. A deer may surprise you by jumping out from behind a grove of trees.
— Deer don't travel alone. Where there's one, there may be others following him.
— Use your "brights" whenever possible to see the deer more clearly at night.
— Don't swerve to avoid a deer — that's the cause of most serious accidents. You could lose control of your car.
