Drivers warned of deer season dangers - NEWS10 ABC: Albany, New York News, Weather, Sports

Drivers warned of deer season dangers

ALBANY, N.Y. - The New York State Thruway Authority and New York State Troopers are reminding motorists of the danger of deer season with their annual "Antler Alert."

Most deer-vehicle collisions occur from October through December according to the Thruway Authority and the State Police.

The Thruway Authority uses deer-crossing signs at locations with a higher-than- average history of vehicle-deer collisions. However, they say more than 2,200 of these incidents occurred along the Thruway in 2011.

The Thruway Authority offers these tips for motorists:

• Deer are more active during evening, dusk and dawn.
• Scan shoulders of the roadside for deer eyes reflecting light.
• Using high beams and sounding horn may help to repel deer, but won't necessarily prevent a collision.
• Slow down when approaching deer standing at the roadside, as they may run into oncoming traffic.
• Always wear your seatbelt.
• Deer often move in groups. Where there's one, there may be more.
• If you see a deer, brake firmly. The most serious vehicle-deer accidents occur when drivers veer at high speeds, and strike another vehicle or go off the road.
• Never swerve to avoid hitting a deer. This can confuse deer and possibly cause them to go into the roadway.
• If you are involved in a vehicle-deer collision, do not attempt to approach or touch the deer.

If a vehicle-deer accident occurs, motorists should make every attempt to drive their vehicle as far off the highway as possible, park on the right shoulder, activate their four-way hazard flashers, and stay in the vehicle and wait until help arrives.