Illinois State Police warning drivers to watch out for deer

ILLINOIS (WCIA) — The Illinois State Police is warning drivers to keep an eye out for deer during the fall — which the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) says is when many of the accidents involving deer occur.

Most deer-vehicle accidents happen from October to December, between the hours of 5 to 10 p.m. and 5 to 8 a.m., according to the IDNR. But, accidents also peak in May and June as deer relocate to new areas.

To avoid a deer-related accident, IDNR said there are several steps you should take. This includes:

• Be aware of your surroundings and pay attention to deer crossing signs
• Use high-beams at night — this could help you see a deer a few seconds earlier
• Use extra caution when near woodlots, field edges or water
• Slow down around curves where deer are known to be
• Prepare to stop if a deer is near the road — there are likely more nearby
• Alert other drivers if you see deer. You can flash your lights, tap the breaks or honk your horn
• If a deer is approaching, don’t slam on your breaks or swerve — it can cause a more severe accident
• Leave plenty of room between vehicles

IDNR added that if you hit a deer, you should pull over and turn on your emergency flashers. They also said you should not go out in the middle of the road to check on the deer — this would put you in danger of being hit by another driver.

State Police said that if you do hit a deer, you should contact the police or create your own crash report online.

“Remember the crash must be a single vehicle, property-damage-only crash where there were no injuries to anyone involved, and it occurred on either an Interstate or a U.S. or Illinois Route,” State Police said in a post on Facebook.