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Press Releases
October
5, 2006
For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Michelle Pintar
Direct: (414) 431-6104
E-mail: mpintar@wihumane.org
Watch
Out for Deer!
MILWAUKEE
– It's October, and that means that white-tailed
deer are gearing up for the “rut,” their mating
season. Consequently, deer are very active this
time of year, and October and November are annually
the peak months for deer/vehicle collisions on Wisconsin
's roadways.
In 2004 Wisconsin
motorists reported 19,846 collisions with deer;
this is more than 15% of ALL reported vehicle collisions.
Eleven people were killed in these crashes and 686
people were injured.
For the last
few years, Milwaukee and surrounding counties have
averaged a total of 1,775 reported deer/vehicle
collisions each year.
Tips to avoid
injuring deer and staying safe on the roadway:
•
Stay alert – watch for deer near
roadways.
•
Slow down whenever you see deer
near roadways – they are very unpredictable.
•
Slow down in deer crossing zones – the
signs are posted there for good reason.
•
Don't “overdrive” your headlights at night
– if a deer jumps out into the roadway,
will you be able to stop in time? Slow down to make
sure you can brake for deer.
•
Use your high beams when driving at night
when there is no opposing traffic.
•
Maintain your vehicle's brakes and tires
in good condition.
•
Avoid swerving out of your lane to miss
a deer – this could cause your car to strike
an oncoming car or to leave the roadway, possibly
causing a roll-over.
•
Watch for more than one deer –
deer often travel in groups.
•
Avoid frightening deer – deer
that wander into neighborhoods are often very frightened
and unpredictable. Loud noises or chasing them may
cause them to run into traffic or even jump through
a window! Deer in neighborhoods will usually find
their way out of difficulty if left undisturbed
overnight.
If you have questions
about a deer that seems to be in distress in Milwaukee
County, call the Wisconsin Humane Society Wildlife
Rehabilitation Center at (414) 431-6204.
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