As the season changes, drivers are more likely to encounter deer on the roads. The Illinois State Police (ISP) has issued a reminder for motorists to exercise caution, particularly during dawn and dusk when deer are most active.
ISP emphasizes the importance of slowing down, as deer typically travel in groups. If you see one, there may be more nearby.
Here are some key tips from the Illinois State Police for safely navigating encounters with deer while driving:
DON’T SWERVE:
Swerving to avoid a deer can lead to serious accidents, including head-on collisions with other vehicles, trees, or guard rails, and may result in rollovers that could cause severe injuries or fatalities. Instead, the best response is to either steer or brake while staying in your lane or on the shoulder. While striking a deer can damage your vehicle, occupants often escape without injury.
If you do hit a deer, contact the police or file a crash report online using the ISP’s Civilian Crash Reporting System. This process is applicable for single-vehicle, property-damage-only incidents with no injuries, occurring on an Interstate or U.S. or Illinois Route.
To file a report, visit the ISP website at https://www.isp.illinois.gov/ and click on “Crash Reports” under Quick Links.
As the fall season progresses, please remain vigilant while traveling on roadways.
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