Officials warn that October begins deer-vehicle collision season

CLEVELAND - Drivers beware, it's deer mating season, which means that you and your car have an increased chance of running into a deer on the road.

A joint press release issued on Thursday by the Ohio Insurance Institute (OII), the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), the Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS) and the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSP) indicates that deer-vehicle crashes in 2009 increased by 2.3 percent.

Of course, the risk of colliding with a deer is increased during deer mating season, which begins in October and usually lasts through January in Northeast Ohio.

The ODPS reported 25,146 deer-vehicle crashes in 2009 (there were 24,590 reported in 2008 and 26,304 in 2007).

The research also indicated those deer-vehicle crashed resulted in four deaths and 1,004 injuries.  In 2008, there were six deaths and 979 injuries, while in 2007 there were 10 deaths and 1,022 injuries reported.

In 2009, officials said that November had the highest incidence of collisions--6,043.  The ODPS and ODNR said that the peak hours for crashes in 2009 were from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. and from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m.

The ODNR estimates Ohio's current deer population at 750,000, which is up from the 2009 estimate of 650,000. 

Which counties had the highest number of reported crashes?

According to ODNR data from 2009:

1. Richland (721)

2. Stark (655)

3. Hamilton (614)

4. Summit (575)

5. Lorain (547)

Which counties had the fewest number of reported crashes?

According to ODNR data from 2009:

1.  Monroe (14)

2. Carroll (47)

3. Harrison (51)

4. Meigs (54)

5. Morgan (67)

Officials are offering the following tips for drivers during deer mating season:

• Drive with extreme caution, at or below the posted speed limit, in areas with deer-crossing signs.

• If you see one deer on or near a roadway, expect others to follow. Slow down and be alert.

• After dark, use high beams when there is no opposing traffic. High beams will illuminate the eyes of deer on or near a roadway and provide greater motorist reaction time. Don't rely solely on high beams to deter collisions.

• Always wear a seat belt as required by state law and drive at a safe, sensible speed for conditions.

• If a collision with a deer seems probable then hit it while maintaining full control of your vehicle. Don't swerve your vehicle to avoid striking a deer. Brake firmly and stay in your lane. The alternative could be even worse.

• Stay alert. Deer are always unpredictable. They often dart out into traffic on busy highways in metro areas.

• Report any deer-vehicle collisions to a local law enforcement agency (such as the Ohio State Highway Patrol) or a state wildlife officer within 24 hours.

Note: Under Ohio law, the driver of a vehicle that strikes and kills a deer may take possession of it by first obtaining a deer possession receipt (available from law enforcement or state wildlife officers, and from local Division of Wildlife district offices).