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Driving during deer migration means keeping an eagle eye |
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Thursday, 01 May 2008 |
The state Department of Transportation and Caltrans District 9 Director Tom Hallenbeck cautions the traveling public to slow down and watch for deer, in particular on Inyo and Mono county roads, such as U.S. 395, and state roads 168, 6, 203, 158, 120 east, 182, 108 and 89 at various locations.
Tips for avoiding deer on the road include staying alert, awake and sober. Watch for deer crossing and speed limit signs. Scan the road for deer, and slow down if you see one. Remember they often travel in groups. Use high beams at night, in the absence of oncoming traffic. Adjust travel times, as the majority of car-deer incidents happen during early morning and early evening hours, especially during the spring when deer migrate to summer fawning areas. Do not rely on deer whistles or other vehicle-mounted noise-making devices.
If you are going to hit a deer, first slow down and grasp the steering wheel firmly with both hands. Brake hard, but without locking the wheels and skidding. Steer straight and stay in your lane. Do not use extraordinary measures to avoid the deer. This could put you in greater danger by crossing lanes into oncoming traffic or by going off the road.
If you hit a deer, first, stop the car safely, making sure you and any passengers are not hurt. If possible, move the car to the right shoulder and turn on the hazard lights. Do not approach the deer. You could be injured or forced into traffic by a thrashing animal. Report the crash to the police and your insurance. Do not attempt to kill an injured deer.
To reduce deer/vehicle accidents Caltrans identifies known deer migration crossings on state highways with warning signs. Vegetation along the sides of the roadway is mowed, thereby increasing the site distance of the driver. New construction and rehabilitation projects include flattening of the slopes next to the roadway and the removal of bitter brush seed from the revegetation. Biologists from Caltrans and Department of Fish & Game continue to study the habits of the deer population working to develop new technology that will improve driver safety as well as deer safety. -MT/DOT
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Last Updated ( Friday, 09 May 2008 )
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