RJ
10-23-2006, 02:08 PM
Fall Is Peak Season for Deer/Moose-Vehicle Collisions
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan today advised motorists to be on the lookout for deer during the fall months.
According to statistics compiled by DEC, the peak period for deer-vehicle collisions is October through December. It is estimated that there are more than 60,000 deer-vehicle collisions throughout the State each year. Nearly two-thirds of the annual collisions occur during this three-month period, with most of the collisions occurring between 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The highest incidence of deer-vehicle collisions occurs in November. This corresponds to the peak of the annual deer breeding cycle when deer are more active and less cautious in their movements.
Fall is also the breeding season for moose in New York State. Moose are especially difficult to see at night because of their dark brown to black coloring and due to their height, their eyes do not typically reflect on-coming vehicle headlight back towards motorists.
DEC advises motorists to take the following precautions to prevent deer or moose vehicle collisions:
* Use extreme caution when driving at dawn or dusk, especially during fall months through December and when visibility is poor;
* Slow down when approaching deer or moose standing near the roadside, as they may bolt at the last minute when a car comes closer, often running into the road;
* Deer and moose often travel in groups, so if a deer or moose is spotted crossing the road, be alert for others that may follow;
* Use flashers or a headlight signal to warn other drivers when deer or moose are spotted near the road;
* Be alert and use caution when traveling through deer or moose crossing areas which are usually marked with road signs;
* Do not rely exclusively on devices such as deer whistles, deer fences and reflectors to deter deer;
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* Make sure all vehicle occupants wear seatbelts, children are properly restrained in child safety seats and all motorcyclists are wearing helmets;
* Motorcyclists should be especially alert for deer. Motorcycle-deer crashes are increasing in New York;
* If a deer does run in front of the vehicle, it is advised to brake firmly but do not swerve. Swerving can cause a vehicle-vehicle collision or cause the vehicle to hit a fixed object such as a tree or pole.
If a deer or moose is hit and killed by a vehicle, the motorist should not remove the
animal unless a permit is obtained from the investigating officer at the scene of the accident. As part of DEC’s comprehensive CWD management effort, it is illegal to possess or be given a permit to possess a deer or moose hit within the chronic wasting disease (CWD) containment area. The CWD containment area includes the following cities and towns in Oneida County: Rome, Sherrill, Utica, Annsville, Augusta, Floyd, Kirkland, Lee, Marcy, New Hartford, Trenton, Vernon, Verona, Vienna, Western, Westmoreland, and Whitestown; and Lenox, Oneida, and Stockbridge in Madison County. For more information on CWD, visit: http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/wildlife/deer/cwd.html on the DEC website.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan today advised motorists to be on the lookout for deer during the fall months.
According to statistics compiled by DEC, the peak period for deer-vehicle collisions is October through December. It is estimated that there are more than 60,000 deer-vehicle collisions throughout the State each year. Nearly two-thirds of the annual collisions occur during this three-month period, with most of the collisions occurring between 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The highest incidence of deer-vehicle collisions occurs in November. This corresponds to the peak of the annual deer breeding cycle when deer are more active and less cautious in their movements.
Fall is also the breeding season for moose in New York State. Moose are especially difficult to see at night because of their dark brown to black coloring and due to their height, their eyes do not typically reflect on-coming vehicle headlight back towards motorists.
DEC advises motorists to take the following precautions to prevent deer or moose vehicle collisions:
* Use extreme caution when driving at dawn or dusk, especially during fall months through December and when visibility is poor;
* Slow down when approaching deer or moose standing near the roadside, as they may bolt at the last minute when a car comes closer, often running into the road;
* Deer and moose often travel in groups, so if a deer or moose is spotted crossing the road, be alert for others that may follow;
* Use flashers or a headlight signal to warn other drivers when deer or moose are spotted near the road;
* Be alert and use caution when traveling through deer or moose crossing areas which are usually marked with road signs;
* Do not rely exclusively on devices such as deer whistles, deer fences and reflectors to deter deer;
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* Make sure all vehicle occupants wear seatbelts, children are properly restrained in child safety seats and all motorcyclists are wearing helmets;
* Motorcyclists should be especially alert for deer. Motorcycle-deer crashes are increasing in New York;
* If a deer does run in front of the vehicle, it is advised to brake firmly but do not swerve. Swerving can cause a vehicle-vehicle collision or cause the vehicle to hit a fixed object such as a tree or pole.
If a deer or moose is hit and killed by a vehicle, the motorist should not remove the
animal unless a permit is obtained from the investigating officer at the scene of the accident. As part of DEC’s comprehensive CWD management effort, it is illegal to possess or be given a permit to possess a deer or moose hit within the chronic wasting disease (CWD) containment area. The CWD containment area includes the following cities and towns in Oneida County: Rome, Sherrill, Utica, Annsville, Augusta, Floyd, Kirkland, Lee, Marcy, New Hartford, Trenton, Vernon, Verona, Vienna, Western, Westmoreland, and Whitestown; and Lenox, Oneida, and Stockbridge in Madison County. For more information on CWD, visit: http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/wildlife/deer/cwd.html on the DEC website.