Wisconsin drivers were in 17,000 deer crashes in 2024. Where did most of the crashes occur?
Drivers should remain vigilant against deer on roadways this spring as crashes typically increase this time of year, warned the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
Deer crash numbers usually increase in May and June in Wisconsin as does look for a place to give birth. “Deer can be erratic and hard to spot, so it’s important that drivers are looking ahead and paying close attention to the sides of the road,” said Wisconsin State Patrol Superintendent Tim Carnahan in a statement.
In 2024, there were more than 17,000 deer related crashes, according to the DOT. Among those crashes, nine people were killed, and 708 were injured.
Wisconsin has an estimated population of about 1.8 million deer, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Most deer-related crashes occur in areas with higher deer populations along with high traffic, according to the DOT. Here’s how to avoid deer-related crashes this spring in Wisconsin, plus what to do if you do hit a deer, according to the DOT.
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Can you avoid hitting a deer with a vehicle?
In general, best practices include always wearing a seat belt, driving slowly and carefully through forested areas, and being vigilant in the early morning and evening when deer are most active. Here are some additional tips from the Wisconsin DNR:
If you notice a deer in your headlights, don’t expect it to dart away. Headlights can confuse a deer and lead the animal to freeze in place.
Instead, brake firmly when you notice the deer. A long honk of your vehicle can sometimes frighten the deer to run away.
If a collision is unavoidable, brake and stay in your lane. Do not swerve, as this can confuse the deer as to where it should run and lead to you losing control of your vehicle.
If you are on a motorcycle, slow down, brake firmly and then swerve if necessary, to avoid hitting the deer. Try to stay within your lane if possible, to avoid hitting other objects or vehicles.
If you see one deer, watch for more. Deer seldom run alone.
What do I do if I get in an animal-related crash?
If you do end up hitting an animal, there are a few steps you should take, according to the DNR. These steps are specifically for deer-related crashes:
If remains are on the shoulder of the highway or off the busy portion of the roadway, contact your local county sheriff. Here are the numbers to call for killed deer pick-up in each Wisconsin county.
If possible, get your vehicle safely off the road. Stay buckled-up inside your vehicle to avoid being struck by another vehicle, particularly if you are on the highway.
Be prepared to describe your precise location to law enforcement. Helpful location markers include proximity to a mile post, the lane direction, nearby exit numbers, an address or mailbox number.
If the animal remains are on an active portion of a highway, call 911. These remains pose an urgent safety hazard.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Fond du Lac Sheboygan Manitowoc Winnebago counties deer-related crashes in 2024
