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Watch for deer
Increased dusk and dawn driving mean more deer following Daylight Savings
MT. PLEASANT — With Daylight Savings putting more drivers on the road around dusk and dawn, they should keep vigilant for not only deer but other motorists. Henry County Sheriff’s Office recently saw the effects of the season this last week as they responded to one car versus deer accident.
According to a news release from the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to two separate vehicle accidents the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 1.
Just after 7 a.m. the sheriff’s office received a report of a car verses deer accident northbound on Highway 218 near Kentucky Avenue.
Barbara Tallman, of Fort Madison, struck the deer in her 2023 Chevrolet Equinox causing an estimated $10,000 in damages, but no reported injuries, the news release detailed.
The Iowa Department of Transportation states, “Historically, the first week of November is when we record the highest number of crashes between vehicles and deer.”
In 2021 from Jan. 1 to Nov. 5, the Iowa DOT reported 5,187 crashes involving drivers hitting animals. Of those crashes, four people were killed and 31 suffered serious injury.
In State Farm’s Top Five States 2022-2023 for Likelihood of Animal Involved Claims from a Collision, Iowa comes in at number five for the first time since 2019.
According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, this is the time of year that drivers should exercise additional vigilance in looking for deer.
“Autumn deer behavior, crop harvest and peak travel times for motorists combine to hike the risk of vehicle-deer collisions in Iowa,” the Iowa DNR stated in a news release at the beginning of the season.
“From the middle of October until the third week of November, Iowa bucks become more active in the pursuit of does during the breeding season,” the DNR warns. “Motorist may be distracted by the first deer that crosses not seeing the pursuing buck. This adds to multiple scenarios of fast moving, unpredictable deer crossing highways.”
According to the DNR, these instances are further exasperated by harvest driving deer into bushy creeks, trees, or fence lines often nearer to roads.
The Iowa DOT adds that hunting season will often cause more activity from the animals, as well.
Finally, the DNR explains that more deer crossing the roads comes right along with daylight saving time, which occurred over the weekend, placing more drivers on the road during the deer-heavy times of dawn and dusk.
The DOT’s 2022 campaign “Buck the Trend. Eyes Up, Phone Down,” specifically addressed a new trend of distracted driving adding to this already potentially dangerous season.
“Drivers are paying less and less attention to the road and more attention to their phones,” the DOT stated as they launched the campaign. “As a driver, keeping your eyes on the road is always the safest option, but it’s even more important this time of year when deer are on the move.”
The DNR advises drivers “to reduce speed, increase following distance from other cars, and to sweep eye movements from ditch to ditch, especially during those low light periods and when approaching those brushy or tree lined funnels near roads.”
Additionally, the DOT encourages those behind the wheel to watch for deer crossing signs.
“These are located where deer activity has been noted in the past,” they state on their website.
Finally, both the Iowa DNR and DOT insist motorists should not leave their lane of traffic to “veer or deer,” as this could cause a collision with another vehicle or roadside obstacle, such as a utility pole or culvert.
Instead of veering, the DOT advises drivers to hold onto the steering wheel, stay in their lane, brake firmly, and bring their vehicle to a controlled stop.
In the instance that one does collide with any animal, they recommend drivers pull off the road, turn on their emergency flasher, remain cautious of other traffic, stay in their vehicles, and call 911 for assistance.
Do not attempt to remove the animal from the roadway.
“Attempting to remove a deer or other animal from the roadway can be very dangerous. Leave the removal to the professional responders,” the DOT states.
Additionally, motorists should not assume their vehicle is safe to drive after a collision with an animal. They should check for leaking fluid, loose parts, tire damage, broken lights, and other safety hazards before heading back out onto the road.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com
