 Statistics show that the number of people injured in deer-vehicle
crashes has decreased from 842 in 2007 to 752 in 2008 and 708 in
2009. Six people were killed in Illinois in 2009 due to vehicle
crashes involving deer."The number of injuries resulting from
crashes involving deer has dropped significantly in the last few
years, and we want to see that trend continue," said Hannig.
"Crashes involving deer are very difficult to avoid, which is why we
strongly urge motorists to slow down, be alert and always wear a
safety belt to help prevent injury or even death. We also strongly
encourage motorcyclists to wear a helmet to help prevent injuries in
crashes."
Following standard safety practices can save lives in the event
of crashes involving deer. A nationwide study of vehicle-animal
crashes conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
shows that 60 percent of the people killed who were riding in
vehicles were not wearing seat belts, and 65 percent of
motorcyclists killed were not wearing helmets.
"As the leaves and temperatures drop in Illinois, motorists need
to be on the lookout for deer on the roadways, especially at dawn
and dusk when both drivers and deer are most active," said IDNR
Director Marc Miller. "It's everyone's responsibility to stay safe
on the road. If you see a deer nearby, alert your fellow motorists
by gently tapping your breaks or flashing your headlights. Help
yourself and help each other this fall and winter."
The top 10 Illinois counties for
deer-vehicle crashes in 2009 were:
-
Cook, 639
-
Peoria, 483
-
Madison, 478
-
Pike, 470
-
Sangamon, 456
-
Fulton, 433
-
LaSalle, 409
-
Will, 401
-
Lake, 367
-
Kane, 361
Suggestions for motorists to avoid deer-vehicle crashes:
-
Be particularly
cautious at dusk and dawn, when deer are most active.
-
Reduce speed and
be prepared to stop on roads where deer may be present.
-
Deer may cross the
roadway and double back across the road surface. Before
proceeding, make sure deer have moved away.
-
Be mindful that
several others may follow a single deer near or across a road.
-
Keep track of
locations where deer have been seen in the past. This will help
to avoid being surprised by deer crossing roads.
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-
Avoid swerving
into oncoming traffic or off the road if deer are on the
roadway. Instead, slow to a stop and wait for the deer to move
along.
-
Drivers
encountering deer on the roadway should try flashing their
headlights from bright to dim or honking their horn to encourage
the deer to move on.
-
Drivers can alert other motorists to
the presence of deer by tapping their brakes.
A law regarding the reporting threshold for property damage
crashes was amended on Jan. 1, 2009. The change in law prevents an
accurate comparison of 2009 and later data involving total and
property-damage-only crashes with such crashes reported in previous
years. The amendment does not affect the reporting of injury or
fatal crashes.
Under a newly implemented roadkill policy, individuals who wish
to claim a deer killed in a vehicle collision must report the
possession of roadkill deer to the Department of Natural Resources
through the Internet or by phone. Individuals claiming roadkill deer
must report the possession within 24 hours using the new online
reporting form on the department's website:
http://dnr.state.il.us/law3/images/Road_kill.pdf.
Possession may also be reported to the Department of Natural
Resources by calling 217-782-6431 no later than 4:30 p.m. on the
next business day. Individuals involved in deer-vehicle accidents
who do not want to take possession of the deer are not required to
file a report with the department.
[Text from
Illinois
Department of Transportation file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
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