Researcher say that deer usually come out of the woods between 5p.m and 7a.m. Well, research is wrong. I had a near miss this morning around 9:25 exiting off the 540. Maybe the deer didn’t set his clock back.
Wake County ranks at the top of the list statewide. In a typical year, more people die from collisions with deer than in bus crashes, train crashes and airline crashes combined. A recent study by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that crashes involving deer statewide have climbed steadily in recent years.
Fall is when deer are most likely to dart out in front of you, because they’re moving around thanks to mating and hunting seasons. Crashes are most common from 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. when they’re harder to see.
Have you collided with a deer? Here are suggestions for motorists to avoid being in a collision with a deer:
-Slow down in posted deer crossing areas and heavily wooded areas, especially during the late afternoon and evening.
-Statistics indicate most car-deer crashes occur near bridges or overpasses. Deer also follow railroad tracks, streams and ditches.
-Drive with high beams on, when possible, and watch out for eyes reflecting in the headlights.
-Remember that deer often travel in groups, so do not assume that the road is clear if one deer has already passed.
-Do not swerve to avoid contact with deer. This could cause the vehicle to flip or veer into oncoming traffic, causing a more serious crash. Swerving also can confuse the deer as to where to run.
-If you see a deer near or on the road, give your car horn one long blast. This sound gives the deer an audible signal to avoid.
-Increase the distance between your vehicle and other cars, especially at night. If the car ahead of you hits a deer, you may also become involved in the accident.
courtesy NCDOT
