Minor injuries were caused after a car collided with a deer on the 401.
OPP officials say on November 14, around 9 p.m., Chatham-Kent Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a motor vehicle collision involving eastbound Toyota Corolla colliding with a deer on Highway 401 near Orford Road.
The vehicle suffered major damage and was towed from the highway.
The driver sustained minor injuries.
Chatham-Kent OPP is urging motorists to be alert and aware of their surroundings.
Deer-vehicle collision rates increase significantly 1.5 hours on either side of sunset and sunrise.
Although there is often signage to warn motorists of higher deer-traveled areas, motorists need to be aware in all areas.
Deer don’t limit their activity on rural roads.
The animals have been known to cross the busy roadways as well.
The number of animal strikes on Ontario roads has increased from 8,964 in 1999 to 12,791 in 2008, according to the Ministry of Transportation.
This represents a 42% increase over a nine-year period.
Crashes involving animals – mainly moose and deer – are a growing problem.
October to January is a peak time for vehicle collisions with wildlife, and November is the most dangerous month.
Collisions with wild animals can result in serious vehicle damage, personal injury, or even death.
Some other helpful hints to ensure a safe journey during this time of year are as follows:
– Look all around, not just straight ahead. Deer will often run across the road from ditches and protected areas such as stream corridors and woodlots.
– Where you see one deer, expect more. Deer often travel in herds.
– Slow down. The slower you go, the more time you have to react should you encounter a deer
– Deer can move across roads at any time of the day or year but anticipate higher deer movements in the fall and around sunrise & sunset.
– Watch for glowing eyes of deer at night
– Don’t veer for deer. Should a deer run into the path of your vehicle, reduce your speed quickly, steer straight and stay in control.
– Remove all distractions. Give yourself the best chance possible to see and predict where deer might go.
– Buckle up. If you need to stop in a hurry, you want your body restrained to prevent unnecessary injury or possibly death.
For more information on Deer collision safety visit: https://www.workplacesafetynorth.ca/news/news-post/oh-deer-avoiding-wildlife-highway or http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/handbook/section2.10.7.shtml
– Photo credit: OPP
