A collective ‘oh!? rose from the crowd gathered at Oakland County Sheriff’s headquarters last week when viewers watched a deer leap from the darkness, crash against the grill of an oncoming patrol vehicle and finally sprawl in the opposing lane.
The incident, just one of 1,866 car-deer crashes reported in Oakland County during 2006, was captured on dash-cam video last February and used to demonstrate how quickly such a crash can occur.
With Oakland County ranked third in the state for car-deer collisions, a number of local officials gathered to warn motorists as The Michigan Deer Crash Coalition kicked off its annual campaign.
Kent County drivers reported the highest number of crashes, with 2,208; Jackson County was second with 2,017.
While car-deer crashes occur throughout the year, warned officials, October and November are especially dangerous for several reasons.
First, said Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, Oct. 1 marks the beginning of bow season, and deer are often flushed from the woods buy hunters through the end of firearm season.
In addition, he noted, fall is mating season for the deer.
‘They are running a lot more recklessly and with a little more abandon,? Bouchard said. ?(During this time) the deer are entering road ways that ordinarily they may not have been traversing.?
Established in 1996, the MDCC is comprised of governments, law enforcement, and other agencies working to promote awareness and educate drivers about remaining alert and how to react’and not react’when a deer appears on the roadway.
‘Statistics show that motorist death and injury occur when drivers swerve to miss the deer,? said AAA Community Outreach and Safety Coordinator Paul Weber, ? and instead strike a fixed object such as a tree or worse, another vehicle. Staying in your lane often is the best option.?
Car-deer crashes, he said, occur in every Michigan county, not just ‘up north? or in rural areas, and result in about $130 million in damage annually.
In 2006, motorists reported 60,875 car-deer crashes across the state, but because as many as half of such incidents go unreported, MDCC officials estimate the number is much greater.
‘We want you to stay awake, we want you to stay alert, and we want you to stay sober,? said Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, who spoke at Friday’s event, noting car-deer crashes resulted in 12 deaths on Michigan roadways in 2006. ‘Watch out for what’s going on in the road.?
Deer are most active during dawn and dusk hours, officials said, warranting extra vigilance from drivers as the animals move between bedding and feeding areas.
‘Deer are often seen calmly feeding near the highway,? said Michigan DNR Field Coordinator Penney Melchoir, who also spoke at the event. ‘But if they do startle they may appear in front of your windshield in no time at all.?