‘Lusty deer’: Kansas, Missouri drivers urged to be extra cautious and alert this month
Drivers in Kansas City, as well as across Missouri and Kansas, are being urged to be extra cautious and alert when they venture out on the roads this month — it’s peak season for collisions with deer.
“Lusty deer are abounding on area roadways right now and won’t let your car get in the way of their quest for loving,” the Kansas City Police Department said on Twitter this week. “Be alert, be cautious and be safe!”
As the daylight hours get shorter and weather gets cooler, the breeding season for deer gets underway. And so does the period when deer and vehicle crashes become most frequent.
“Drivers need to be aware their chances of being involved in a deer-related crash increase greatly this time of year,” said AAA spokesperson Nick Chabarria. “While some deer collisions may be unavoidable, taking precautions like buckling up when in a vehicle and wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle can save lives.”
Last year, there were 3,639 crashes involving deer on Missouri roadways that killed five people and injured 348 people, according to data from the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
In Kansas, there were 9,670 deer crashes that killed four people and injured 471 others, according to the Kansas Department of Transportation.
Nationwide, more than 1.5 million deer-vehicle collisions occur each year across the U.S., resulting in 150 fatalities and tens of thousands of injuries, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported.
While the vast majority of crashes involving deer do not involve serious injury, the collisions can cause significant damage to the vehicle and lead to costly repairs.
AAA Insurance reported that it’s average deer-related claim in the region is more than $5,000, though costs could be much higher depending on the damage to a vehicle.
To avoid a crash or to reduce damage from a collision with an animal, AAA suggests drivers:
- Pay attention to road signs, especially the yellow signs indicating a high level of deer activity.
- Pay attention to the road to be ready for when a deer appears out of nowhere.
- Be especially attentive in early morning and evening hours. Many animals, especially deer, are most active from 5-8 a.m. and 5-8 p.m., prime commuting times for many.
- Use high beams when there’s no oncoming traffic to spot animals sooner. Sometimes the light reflecting off their eyes will reveal their location.
- If you see a deer, slow down and watch for others to appear. Deer rarely travel alone.
- Resist the urge to swerve, which can confuse the animals leading them to not knowing which way to run. Swerving can also put you in the path of oncoming traffics or cause you to crash into something else.
- If the crash is imminent take your foot off the brake. Letting off the brake can protect drivers from windshield strikes because the animal is more likely to be pushed to one side or over the top of the vehicle.
This story was originally published November 3, 2021 at 8:41 AM.
