Do you have any tips to help drivers avoid collisions with deer and moose?

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and New York State Department of Motor Vehicles would like to remind drivers to be aware that deer and moose are most active and more likely to enter public roadways during the months of October, November, and December.

According to the University at Albany's Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research, in 2022, 41.5 percent of the crashes between deer and vehicles occurred during this three-month span.

Motorists should be aware animals are especially active at dawn and dusk, when visibility may be reduced and commuter traffic may be heavy. DEC recommends motorists take these precautions to reduce the chance of hitting a deer or moose:

  • Decrease speed when you approach deer near roadsides. Deer can "bolt" or change direction at the last minute.
  • If you see a deer cross the road, decrease speed. Deer often travel in groups, so expect other deer to follow.
  • Use emergency lights or a headlight signal to warn other drivers when deer are seen on or near the road.
  • When a deer or moose is seen approaching the roadway ahead, honk your horn to help them avoid entering the roadway.
  • Use added caution on roadways marked with deer crossing signs.
  • Use extreme caution when driving at dawn or dusk, when animal movement is at its highest and visibility is reduced.
  • If encountering an animal on the roadway, brake firmly but do not swerve. Swerving can cause a collision with another vehicle, a tree, a pole, or other objects. If an animal is hit, DEC advises motorists to stay away from the animal. A frightened, wounded deer or moose could use its powerful legs and sharp hooves to cause harm.

 

This Quick Answer was sourced from a NYS DEC post ðŸ¦Œ

November 2023