Let’s be careful out there
Thursday, Nov 3, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From IDOT…
Fall is here and the time of year when motorists need to be especially vigilant watching for deer on roads throughout the state, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). The reason: Autumn coincides with the mating season and increased deer movement, especially at dusk and dawn.
“Deer have other things on their minds at this time of year. They aren’t looking out for motorists, so motorists need to be looking out for them,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Randy Blankenhorn. “If you are in areas where you know deer to be active, please pay special attention to avoid putting yourself and other drivers at risk.”
Approximately 40 to 45 percent of crashes in Illinois involving deer in 2015 occurred in October, November, and December – with November being the highest-risk month. Almost 80 percent happened in rural environments, with nearly 75 percent of all crashes taking place at twilight or nighttime.
Last year, there were 15,754 vehicle-deer crashes in Illinois, an increase of 2.5 percent from 2014. There were 15,206 crashes that resulted in damage to property or vehicles, up from the 14,854 in 2014. Injuries resulting from such crashes tallied 628 in 2015 versus 505 in 2014. The number of fatalities doubled, from four in 2014 to eight in 2015.
The top 10 Illinois counties for crashes involving deer in 2015:
1. Madison 440
2. Cook 431
3. Will 408
4. Fulton 376
5. Sangamon 359
6. Rock Island 322
7. Williamson 304
8. Peoria 297
9. Lake 290
10. Pike 289
- How Ironic - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 1:13 pm:
Also, most deer do not carry insurance. At least the last 2 I have hit didn’t.
- blue dog dem - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 1:16 pm:
Keep an eye out for those pesky bobcats too.
- Deerhunter - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 1:27 pm:
*** “Deer have other things on their mind this year” ***
Thanks for your lightheartened innuendo about something that killed eight Illinoisans last year, Secretary.
Maybe squeeze this in?
“it was just locker room talk.” - Rudolph
Y/W
- Precinct Captain - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 1:27 pm:
Mike Madigan and the deer he controls
- Grand Avenue - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 1:32 pm:
Yet another reason not to Drink and Drive
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 1:34 pm:
Remember, if you see one leap out over the road ahead of you, odds are there’s another following it. Don’t be so distracted by the first that you don’t see the second deer.
- burbanite - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 1:51 pm:
I was on the phone with a guy driving through the preserves around maple lake (he was on speaker) and a deer ran right into his car smashing it something awful. Ran right into him!
- Jon Zahm - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 1:53 pm:
yes, I totaled my car hitting a deer in Henry County back in May. It was on me before I could avoid it.
- Last Bull Moose - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 2:22 pm:
I will do my part to reduce the threat.
Problem is that I have to drive in the dark to get to the stand. Most dangerous part of the hunt.
- Huh? - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 2:25 pm:
If you have time to react, slam on the brakes and steer straight ahead. Do not attempt to avoid the deer by swerving around it. More people are hurt by attempting to avoid hitting get a deer than are hurt by hitting it.
As part of a former employment opportunity, I had to review crash reports. Very often the crashes with injuries were the result of somebody trying to miss a deer, end up running off the road and hitting a tree or overturning.
If you see a deer ahead or are driving through an area where deer are known to be in the area, toot the car horn. Those “deer whistles” don’t work. They are a gimmick to separate you from your money. I have had much better luck with the car horn than I ever did with deer whistles. Besides the car horn came free with the car.
- Downstate Illinois - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 2:37 pm:
I’m glad to know I’ve done my fair share this year. Go Williamson!
- Give Me A Break - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 2:48 pm:
Mrs. “Give Me A Break” still holds it against me after I totaled her Volvo just west of Decatur when I took out two deer around dusk.
Best part was when I called ISP to report the accident, they told me to have the care towed then call them when I got home because the closest trooper to me to take a report was 60 miles away.
- LTSW - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 3:12 pm:
Well if they would just move those deer crossing signs to Lowe traffic areas /s
- LTSW - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 4:28 pm:
Should be ” low traffic areas “
- David - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 7:54 pm:
Mine was hit by a semi and thrown on me.
- striketoo - Thursday, Nov 3, 16 @ 10:35 pm:
“Thanks for your lightheartened innuendo about something that killed eight Illinoisans last year, Secretary.”
Come on.