KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Starting now and lasting through December, drivers are very likely to have a deer encounter.
The reason: it’s mating season. Officials say drivers need to be on the lookout. Statistics show that the number of deer verses car accidents are up seven percent compared to last year. Insurance stats indicated the average cost to fix car damage is $3,000.
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There are lots of distractions that cause crashes like cell phones, but deer accidents can not only cause car damage but serious injury and sometimes death. The most likely time you’ll see them is during dawn or dusk hours.
The Missouri Department of Conservation said motorists should not honk at deer, as it might confuse them, causing the deer to run toward you rather than away. They also said don’t swerve to miss hitting the deer, as that can cause your car to careen out of control, causing more harm than good. MoDOT also says to buckle up. Statistics show that most accidents involving deer, the drivers weren’t wearing their seat belts.
If you hit and kill a deer, you can keep it, but you have to contact the local conservation department. If you don’t want to keep it, MoDOT recommends calling the local sheriff’s department, highway patrol or the police. MoDOT crews will retrieve the carcass as soon as possible.
