Car-deer accidents pick up during fall
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By the Lincoln Journal Star
The Lancaster County Sheriff's Office investigated at least four car-deer accidents in less than a day.
No one was hurt during any of the accidents, according to Sheriff Terry Wagner.
He said the deer population is particularly active during this time of the year because it is mating season.
- If you’re near a creek, river, lake or pond or a wooded area, expect to see deer, especially at dusk and dawn, when they’re on the move.
- If you see a single deer, assume more may follow. They tend to travel in groups.
- Pay attention to deer crossing signs. The Department of Roads puts the signs there based on sightings or accidents.
- If a deer jumps into traffic, hitting it likely is better than swerving to avoid it.
- Honk your horn to scare the deer into another direction and apply pressure to the brakes enough to slow down. Be alert to other vehicles nearby and keep both hands on the steering wheel.
- Don’t count on deer whistles to scare deer away. Independent research hasn’t show them to be effective.
- Wear a seat belt. If you do hit a deer, it could help reduce your risk of injury.
- Be particularly watchful in November and December, when the most car-deer accidents tend to happen as deer are looking for mates and food to bulk up for the winter. There’s another spike in May and June, fawning season, when the deer population jumps by around 100,000.
Wilderness Park, near three of the accidents, is a hot spot for deer, Wagner said. They cross the highway to feed on the fields, he said. The bright moonlight Wednesday night and early Thursday may have also drawn the deer toward the highway, he said.
Sgt. Tom Trotter said the frequency of car-deer accidents will probably increase in November, the busiest month by his estimation.
The four accidents were at:
* U.S. 77 and Rock Creek Road, at 7:14 a.m. Thursday;
* U.S. 77 and Pioneers Boulevard, at 5:38 a.m. Thursday;
* 260 S. Harrison St., in Hallam, at 1:58 a.m. Thursday; and
* 27th Street and Rokeby Road, at 6:52 p.m. Wednesday.
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