Oh, deer: Changing seasons require driving caution

Brian Brus - OSU Agricultural Communication Services
·2 min read
Wildlife and vehicle collisions are frequent and costly. A deer crossing in wet foggy weather impacts a car on highway 51 west of Stillwater.According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are about 1 million car accidents with deer each year that kill 200 Americans, cause more than 10,000 personal injuries, and result in $1 billion in vehicle damage.

STILLWATER, Okla. – Drivers need to pay more attention to deer crossing Oklahoma roads while the animals are listening to other instincts this time of year, said Dwayne Elmore, Oklahoma State University Extension wildlife management specialist.

Elmore provided some insight and tips for dealing with deer on the move:

Oklahoma deer are not migratory, but they do move more within their territories during seasonal changes.

When food supplies decrease, deer may explore closer to residential areas to supplement their diets.

Deer are less cautious about crossing roads when rutting bucks are interested in mating and does are trying to evade them.

Normally nocturnal, deer don’t follow Daylight Saving adjustments and work schedules, so don’t rely on driving routines.

Unfortunately, not all deer can clear the road ahead of cars. Accidents do happen, and they can be costly in terms of property damage and life. According to Oklahoma Highway Safety Office statistics, there were 836 deer-related crashes on Oklahoma roads in 2020, including two fatalities. As of November this year, four people have died in deer-related crashes.

Elmore suggests the following:

• If you see a deer, slow down. Do not swerve into other cars.

• If you hit an animal, pull to the side of the road when it’s safe and make sure the vehicle isn’t hazardous to drive. Use hazard lights and watch out for traffic.

• If an injured deer is clearly still alive, do not approach it or touch the animal. Call an Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation game warden for guidance.

• If a deer’s body is a road hazard, call the Oklahoma Highway Patrol or local sheriff’s office.

“No one really wants to hit a deer, but it is not worth the risk of injuring yourself or other people,” he said.

This is the season to be even more cautious when driving as deer are on the move.
This is the season to be even more cautious when driving as deer are on the move.

This article originally appeared on The Shawnee News-Star: Oh, deer: Changing seasons require driving caution