Motorists urged to be on high alert for deer on roads
<p class="p1"> The Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois State Police are reminding motorists that this is the time of year to be on high alert for deer on roads and highways.</p><p class="p1"> The latest statistics show that motor vehicle crashes involving deer increased slightly in Illinois last year.</p><p class="p1">A total of 15,356 crashes were reported in 2014, compared to 15,334 crashes in 2013. </p><p class="p1">There were 14,847 crashes that resulted in property damage only in 2014, compared to 14,811 in 2013.</p><p class="p1">Despite the increases, there were fewer fatalities resulting from crashes involving deer.</p><p class="p1">Four fatalities were reported in 2014, which was down from six fatalities in 2013. </p><p class="p1">The number of injuries in motor vehicle crashes involving deer also declined, from 617 in 2013 to 570 in 2014.</p><p class="p1">State officials reported that on average, nearly half of all crashes involving deer in Illinois happen in October, November and December. </p><p class="p1">Approximately 80 percent of crashes involving deer happen on rural roads at twilight or nighttime.</p><p class="p1">The following tips for avoiding collisions with deer were shared by state agencies:</p><p class="p1">Reduce your speed near water, farm fields, and wooded areas; be prepared to stop.</p><p class="p1">Deer will often cross roads and double back; make sure deer have moved away from the road before proceeding.</p><p class="p1">If you see one deer, be aware that others may be close behind.</p><p class="p1">Alert other motorists to the presence of deer by tapping your brakes.</p><p class="p1">Don’t swerve into traffic or off the road if you see a deer; instead, slow to a stop.</p><p class="p1">Here are some things to remember if you are involved in a motor vehicle crash with a deer:</p><p class="p1">Pull to a safe location off of the roadway.</p><p class="p1">Be sure to turn on your emergency flashers.</p><p class="p1">If anyone is injured or the vehicle needs to be towed, a police officer will need to respond to the scene to complete a crash report. </p><p class="p1">If there are no injuries and the vehicle can be driven from the scene, it is likely that you can phone in the information and a crash report can be completed. </p><p class="p1">If you are phoning in the information for the crash report, be sure you have the following information available: the time of the crash, the location of crash, vehicle registration information, insurance information, and names and phone numbers of any passengers in the vehicle with you at the time of crash.</p><p class="p1">A driver involved in a crash with a deer may take possession of the animal.</p><p class="p1">The Illinois Department of Natural Resources notes that an Illinois resident/driver of a motor vehicle involved in a vehicle-deer collision has priority in legally possessing white-tailed deer killed/injured as a result of a collision with a motor vehicle. </p><p class="p1">If the driver does not take possession of the deer before leaving the collision scene, any citizen of Illinois who is not delinquent in child support may possess and transport the deer. Non-residents may not claim a road-killed deer. </p><p class="p1">Individuals claiming such a deer must report the possession within 24 hours at www.dnr.illinois.gov. </p><p class="p1">Individuals without Internet access can report such possession by calling 217-782-6431 no later than 4:30 p.m. the next business day.</p>