‘Don’t veer for deer,’ police warn

November 4, 2015 · 0 Comments

The movement of deer around roads increases during the fall and Caledon OPP are reminding motorists of that.
They said drivers need to be more alert and aware of the movements of these animals in order to avoid collisons.
They also have a few simple tips which can help.
• Be attentive of your surroundings when driving, especially from sunset to midnight and during the hours shortly before and after sunrise. These are the highest risk times for deer-vehicle collisions.
• Drive with caution when moving through deer-crossing zones. Deer seldom run alone. If you see one deer, others are likely nearby.
• When driving at night, use your high beam headlights when there is no oncoming traffic. The high beams will better illuminate the eyes of deer on or near the road.
• Do not rely on devices such as deer whistles, deer fences or reflectors to scare away deer.
• Don’t veer for deer. Hold your steering wheel with two hands, brake firmly and come to a controlled stop. Swerving for a deer could lead to a loss of control and a much more serious collision with a tree, hydro pole or another oncoming vehicle.