QUINCY, ILL. -- Drivers are reminded to watch for deer during this time of year. Deer are more active in the fall, especially during evening, nighttime and early morning hours.
Last year, Missouri saw 3,676 traffic crashes involving deer. In these crashes five people were killed and 333 were injured.
Deer are typically more active as fields are harvested and their mating season approaches and that means run-ins with deer are fairly common during this time.
Tom Hilbing says deer can cause some big time damage. This time of year he sees about 150 cars come through his autobody after a run-in with a white tail. But he says some of the most major damage happens when people try to avoid a deer. One example is in his shop right now.
Hilbing said, "They tried to avoid the deer and hit a ditch and then it spun them around into a tree."
Luckily the people involved in that crash walked away unharmed. But Trooper Mike Kindhart with the Illinois State Police says it could have been much worse. He says swerving to avoid a deer could cause you to lose control, putting you out into oncoming traffic with deadly results.
Trooper Mike Kindhart said, "When we have people especially swerving to miss a deer, they'll end up in the ditch and possibly rolling over and then over correcting at the time."
He says his best suggestion is to keep careful watch on the sides of the road. But if you do happen to have a split second encounter with a white tail, choose your safety over the deer's.
Kindhart said, "The best suggestion is to steer straight ahead, apply the brakes and do it as safely as possible, stay in your lane and stay straight ahead."
He says you might have some car damage, but you'll have a better chance of keeping your family safe.
Here are some other tips for safe travels. Keep in mind deer are most active early in the morning and late at night. Also if you see one deer, there are probably more nearby.
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