Drivers be aware, deer on the move
By ADAM STEWART Staff Reporter
This fall, heading into winter, motorists are finding themselves commuting to work, school and other activities in the dark due to shortened daylight hours.
According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Web site, this is also the breeding season, or rut, for deer “when bucks are less wary and all deer are moving around more.”
“This is the time of year when there are more animals on the roadway,” added Alice Fiman, spokesperson for Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). “Colder temperatures bring them down from the higher elevations to valley floors in search of food.”
For motorists, the combination of limited visibility and heightened animal movement can be deadly.
Across the nation, according to WDFW, approximately 200 human deaths from deer-vehicle collisions are reported annually.
WSDOT personnel remove approximately 3,000 deer carcasses from state highways every year. The actual number of deer-vehicle collisions may be much higher than recorded by WSDOT because many animals don’t immediately die as a result of the collision.
Lieutenant Rodney Rochon, with special operations traffic division for the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, said motorists should maintain vigilance while driving in areas populated by deer, especially during the current rut season through December.
“If a motorist strikes a deer,” said Rochon, “a 9-1- 1 call will get the right resources on scene to mitigate the problem.”
Both Fiman and Rochon advised motorists not to touch the animal involved in the collision, even if it appears dead.
“Often, the animal is only temporarily stunned and people who attempt to move or somehow assist a deer have been seriously injured by sharp hooves and antlers,” said Fiman.
“An injured or scared animal can be very dangerous,” added Rochon.
Motorists should safely pull to the side of the road and inspect their vehicle for operational ability, he said.
Drivers should slow down during the winter, especially at dusk and dawn when animals are on the move, according to WDFW. Motorists should also take heed of WSDOT’s deer crossing signs and take caution, said Rochon.
Staff Reporter Adam Stewart:
629-8066 ext. 115 or astewart@scnews.
com.
