By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
10/1/07 – Drivers in Missouri are being warned to watch out for deer crossing roads in higher numbers during the next two months.
Several factors are cited, including hunting and mating seasons for deer, cooler weather, and harvesting activities on farms.
Capt. Tim Hull of the Missouri Highway Patrol says most deer collisions happen at night, between the hours of 5:PM and 7:AM.
"You can't stress it enough...they tend to cross at night. It's best to watch out for those deer along the edge of the road, (where) you can see the eyes reflecting," Hull said.
The State Highway Patrol also says if a deer does cross the road in front of you, try to remain calm and try not to panic or overreact, which is what usually leads to a more serious traffic crash.
Hull recommends slowing down and NOT steering off the road, because the chances of striking a second deer are greater during October and November.
"You need to remember that even though you see one, there's probably at least one or two more (that are) going to be following it when it crosses the road, so once you start slowing down, you need to continue to slow down," Hull said.
In 2006, there were over 3,500 traffic crashes in Missouri involving deer, which averaged out to one deer collision every two and a half hours. Three people were killed and more than 360 were injured.