Deer Mating Season: How To Stay Safe On The Road

DARIEN, IL — November is the height of deer running season, which means you're likely to see deer darting across the road while you're driving. According to the Insurance Information Institute, Inc., the odds of a deer-car collision double in November and December. Deer-car collisions can cause severe injuries and are often fatal, but drivers can take precautions to help avoid an accident during deer running season.

In October Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) issued a warning for motorists to stay alert during deer mating season. In 2016, Illinois had 14,759 car crashes that involved deer, an increase of more than 1,000 from the previous year. Deer-car crashes injured 581 people and killed five people in 2016, IDOT reports.

40% of all deer-car collisions in 2016 took place between October and December, with the majority happening in rural locales at twilight or during the night.

Deer populations have proven difficult to control in Illinois, which makes the risk of hitting a deer even greater.

Here's a roundup of the top deer-car collisions in Illinois counties in 2016 from IDOT:

• 1. Cook: 439
• 2. Madison: 415
• 3. Will: 389
• 4. Sangamon: 344
• 5. Fulton: 328
• 6. Peoria: 311
• 7. Williamson: 287
• 8. Rock Island 278
• 9. Bureau, Pike, Lake: 277
• 10. Jackson: 273

IDOT offered some tips to help drivers avoid hitting a deer during running season:

• Use extra caution at dusk and dawn
• Watch for deer crossing signs
• Be alert in wooded areas
• If you spot a deer, look out for other deer
• Avoid veering into another lane if you confront a deer

Randy Blankenhorn IDOT secretary advised,“It’s instinctual to swerve out of the way, but in doing so, drivers could lose control of the vehicle and cause a more severe crash. If you’re attentive and watchful for deer encounters, these safety tips could make all the difference.”

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