TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — With hunting season well underway, police are warning drivers to stay vigilant as more deer cross the roads.
Sergeant Matt Ames with the Indiana State Police said in the state of Indiana last year there were over 15,000 accidents involving deer. Ames added that already this year there have been three fatal crashes involving deer.
Ames shared a few safety tips for when drivers see a deer cross their path.
“Don’t swerve to avoid hitting a deer, make sure that you stay in your lane, apply your brakes as hard as you can, and try to get stopped to avoid the collision with the deer,” said Ames. “By running off the roadway or into another lane, it could maybe cause you to get into a collision with another vehicle, or strike something that’s not going to give away like a deer would.”
Ames says that should you hit a deer, be sure to pull to the side of the road, activate your emergency lights and call 9-1-1.
Indiana DNR has this pamphlet available with information about what to do to avoid hitting a deer, and what to do should you hit a deer. It’s available online here.
