October is 'Michigan Car-Deer Crash Safety Awareness Month'

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Sept. 26 -- October and November are two of the most dangerous months in Michigan, especially for the state's 1.75 million white-tailed deer and the motorists who crash into them each year. Car-deer crashes in Michigan cause at least $130 million in damage annually, with an average of $2,000 per vehicle. Recognizing this fact, Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm has proclaimed October as "Michigan Car-Deer Crash Safety Awareness Month."

The Michigan Deer Crash Coalition (MDCC), which this year celebrates its 10th anniversary, asks motorists to be extra alert when driving this fall. The MDCC -- a broad affiliation of groups representing law enforcement, traffic safety, insurance, natural resources, higher education and strategic regional planning in the public and private sectors -- seeks to increase awareness of the problem among the driving public and reduce the number of deaths and injuries occurring each year on state roads. The safety message for motorists is "Don't Veer for Deer!"

"Statistics show that most motorist deaths and injuries occur when drivers swerve to avoid hitting the deer and strike a fixed object, such as a tree or another vehicle," said coalition Chairman Jack Peet of AAA Michigan. "No one wants to see a deer destroyed, but striking the animal is often the safest action."

In 2005, Michigan experienced a reduction in the number of total car-deer crashes, which are at their lowest level since 1995. According to the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center, there were 58,741 deer- vehicle crashes in 2005, down from the 62,707 crashes reported in 2004. However, officials note that many crashes also go unreported, so actual crash numbers are much higher.

In 2005, Kent County once again topped the state's counties in the number of vehicle-deer crashes with 2,169 crashes. The remaining top 10 were Jackson (2,111); Calhoun (2,018); Oakland (1,704); Montcalm (1,576); Eaton (1,450); Ingham (1,439); Kalamazoo (1,303); Lapeer (1,238); and Clinton (1,229).

More than 17 percent of all crashes in Michigan involve deer. Last year, nine motorists were killed and 1,700 were injured as the result of a car-deer crash, compared to three killed and 1,647 injured the previous year.

Nearly half of all collisions with deer crashes occur in the October-to- December mating season when deer are very active, and crashes spike again in spring when the season's first grass appears along highway rights-of-way.

"Deer are often seen calmly feeding near highways, but when they panic, they may appear in front of your windshield in no time at all," noted Penney Melchoir, Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division Field Coordinator. "Drivers must be prepared -- look for other deer following the first in a line and keep an eye for deer doubling back once they have moved out of a traffic lane."

All motorists should "think deer" whenever they are behind the wheel, and drive defensively, as if a deer can appear at any moment, because they can! And all motorists should remember to always fasten their safety belts. Safety belts often make the difference in surviving a serious crash.

  If a crash with a deer is unavoidable, the MDCC recommends drivers:
  *  DON'T SWERVE!
  *  Brake firmly.
  *  Hold onto the steering wheel with both hands.
  *  Come to a controlled stop.
  *  Steer your vehicle well off the roadway.

The MDCC says motorists can help avoid dangerous encounters with deer by heeding the following tips:

* Watch for deer especially at dawn and dusk. They are most active then, especially during the fall mating season. In spring, deer will move from cover to find food, and back to cover. Often they will feed along road rights-of- way, where grass greens up first.

* If you see one deer, approach cautiously, as there may be more out of sight.

* Deer often travel single file, so if you see one cross a road, chances are more are nearby waiting to cross, too. When startled by an approaching vehicle, they can panic and dart out from any direction without warning.

* Be alert all year long, especially on two-lane roads. Watch for deer warning signs. They are placed at known deer-crossing areas and serve as a first alert that deer may be near.

* Slow down when traveling through deer-population areas.

Copies of the MDCC brochure, "Don't Veer For Deer," are available free at http://www.michigan.gov/ohsp (Click on Traffic Safety Materials); fax to (517) 336-2663; call (517) 333-2722; or e-mail trafficsafety@michigan.gov . For more information, visit http://www.semcog.org/TranPlan/TrafficSafety/MDCC/index.htm .

The Michigan Deer Crash Coalition (MDCC)

AAA Michigan * Federal Highway Administration * Insurance Institute of Michigan * Kent County Road Commission * Michigan United Conservation Clubs * Michigan Department of Natural Resources * Michigan Department of State * Michigan Department of Transportation * Michigan Sheriffs' Association * Office of Highway Safety Planning * SEMCOG (Southeast Michigan Council of Governments * State Farm Insurance * United Parcel Service.