(Berrien County, MI) - Motorists are advised to take precautions to avoid collisions with deer which are most active this time of year.
In Michigan, Berrien County Sheriff Chuck Heit says a seat belt is one way to prevent injury in a collision with a deer.
“Seatbelts are the best defense in the event of a crash,” he said.
According to the Michigan Office of Highway Planning, there are 2 million deer in Michigan. In 2021, there were 50,000 vehicle-deer crashes, with 80 percent occurring on two-lane roads. Most of these crashes occur during dust and dawn when deer are on the move, according to the MOHP. Heit said one reason deer are on the move right now is the ongoing hunting season.
He advises drivers to:
- Stay Alert, awake, aware, sober, and travel at safe speeds
- Watch for deer crossing signs
- Deer typically follow one another so if you see one, there may be more nearby
- If a crash is unavoidable, DO NOT VEER!!! Brake firmly and try to stay in your lane
- If you hit a deer, turn on your emergency flashers and try to move your vehicle out of the road
- If you cannot, carefully exit your vehicle and stand at the side of the road away from traffic
- Call the police and provide your location and any information if anyone is injured
La Porte County Police Capt. Derek Allen said deer are also on the move from being driven out of corn fields during the harvest season.
He said swerving to avoid a deer can result in drivers losing control of their vehicles, putting themselves and other motorists at greater risk.
