Published: October 15, 2009 08:41 pm      

Car/deer accidents decline here

TESA CULLI

tesa.culli@register-news.com

SPRINGFIELD — There were 412 vehicle/deer accidents in Jefferson County in 2008, and crashes involving deer were down throughout the state, according to information from the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Earlier this year, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources identified Jefferson County as a “hot spot,” — an area that has a lot of deer complaints, vehicle/deer accidents, deer in residential areas, deer destroying crops and limited hunter access in part of the county. In January, the IDNR Joint Deer Population Task Force developed recommendations to manage the deer population and reduce deer/vehicle accidents throughout the state.

According to IDOT, there had been a reduction of 814 crashes involving deer statewide in 2008.

“Crashes involving deer are very difficult to avoid, which is why we strongly urge motorists to be alert and buckle up and motorcyclists to wear a helmet to help prevent injury or death,” stated IDOT Secretary Gary Hannig. “The fatal crashes involving deer have dropped significantly in the last year and we want to continue to see that number decrease...”

IDNR Director Marc Miller reminds motorists that deer are most active during the hours around dawn and dusk, when many motorists are driving to and from work.

“Keep a mental log of places you drive where deer are seen regularly and slow down in those areas,” Miller advised. “And, if you see one deer cross the road, always assume there are more to follow.”

In 2008, of the 412 crashes in Jefferson County, 10 of them resulted in injuries. Jefferson County had the most crashes of surrounding counties, with Marion County at 305, of which eight of the crashes resulted in injuries; Franklin County with 263 crashes, with 10 resulting in injuries; White County with 240 crashes, with six of them resulting in injuries; Wayne County with 236 crashes, with seven resulting in injuries; Washington County with 136 crashes, with none resulting in injuries; and Hamilton County with 118 crashes, with two of them resulting in injuries.

State-wide, the top 10 Illinois counties for deer/vehicle accidents were Cook County with 1,008; Peoria County with 642; Madison County with 630; Pike County with 617; Will County with 570, Lake County with 553, Kane County with 524; Sangamon County with 516; LaSalle County with 510; and Fulton County with 431.

IDOT reminds motorists that if a deer/vehicle accident does happen, drivers and passengers should provide assistance to anyone injured and contact the local, county or state law enforcement.

“Do not attempt to remove dead or injured deer from a busy roadway,” IDOT states. “Illinois law requires all accidents resulting in damage of $500 or more to be reported and an accident report to be filed with police.”