Below are statistics for deer-related crashes, total injuries, and total fatalities for Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango, and Warren counties over the last five years.
PennDOT urges safety as deer start to move more
PennDOT reminds drivers that autumn is the season for deer to be on the move, sometimes crossing onto area roadways.
“October and November are prime months for deer to be active along our roadways and motorists need to take appropriate precautions to help avoid deer-related crashes,” said PennDOT District 1 Executive Brian McNulty.
According to PennDOT data, in 2021, there were 5,728 deer-related crashes in Pennsylvania, resulting in 1,255 injuries and 13 fatalities. In the six counties included in PennDOT’s northwest region, there were 479 crashes and 103 total injuries last year, both increases from 2020.
Deer often travel in small herds and are most active between sunset and sunrise as they look for food. Drivers should be extra cautious during morning and evening commute times.
PennDOT recommends the following safety tips to help drivers avoid a deer-related crash:
“October and November are prime months for deer to be active along our roadways and motorists need to take appropriate precautions to help avoid deer-related crashes,” said PennDOT District 1 Executive Brian McNulty.
According to PennDOT data, in 2021, there were 5,728 deer-related crashes in Pennsylvania, resulting in 1,255 injuries and 13 fatalities. In the six counties included in PennDOT’s northwest region, there were 479 crashes and 103 total injuries last year, both increases from 2020.
Deer often travel in small herds and are most active between sunset and sunrise as they look for food. Drivers should be extra cautious during morning and evening commute times.
PennDOT recommends the following safety tips to help drivers avoid a deer-related crash:
- Slow down and be alert, especially where deer crossing signs are posted.
- Increase the following distance between vehicles.
- Make new drivers aware of increased deer movement.
- Always wear your seat belt.
- Never drive impaired by drugs or alcohol.
- Turn your headlights on whenever using your wipers.
Seven years and four cars
I wrote a column around two years ago calling deer "vermin" and "four-legged weapons of mass destruction" especially on Pennsylvania highways and byways.
It was after yet another encounter hitting a deer. I was upset and frustrated.
Truth is I love watching deer and find them beautiful occupiers of this planet and in that we share a common interest - to live.
I talked with someone not-so-long- ago about deer and he kept referring to them as "stupid" animals. I contend they really are not stupid - they have their own style of cognitive abilities and they perhaps don't have the same opportunity for philosophical thought that humans do, but they understand their survival needs and seek those as they roam free on the land.
"Roam free on this land" - hmm perhaps something to envy?
They do have a fear impulse and that sometimes makes them act in ways we might think are irrational, based on our ability to assess information.
But let me remind you that we have something called "Darwin Awards" - just saying.
I may get upset when I hit a deer and scream bloody murder at the animal, but its not their fault. We're the ones who insist on propelling ourselves through this life in contraptions weighing several thousands of pounds at speeds we can't physically achieve on our own. They didn't build the roadways through our roaming grounds. That is us, not the deer who made these decisions. They are just trying to find food and maybe some shelter to bed down.
That said, do they really have to eat my hostas?
Be careful out there as we approach hunting season and they try to get away from being hunted. (Maybe not something to envy?)
Read my tongue-in-cheek humor column here. In it explains how many of these creatures we really have to contend with.
It was after yet another encounter hitting a deer. I was upset and frustrated.
Truth is I love watching deer and find them beautiful occupiers of this planet and in that we share a common interest - to live.
I talked with someone not-so-long- ago about deer and he kept referring to them as "stupid" animals. I contend they really are not stupid - they have their own style of cognitive abilities and they perhaps don't have the same opportunity for philosophical thought that humans do, but they understand their survival needs and seek those as they roam free on the land.
"Roam free on this land" - hmm perhaps something to envy?
They do have a fear impulse and that sometimes makes them act in ways we might think are irrational, based on our ability to assess information.
But let me remind you that we have something called "Darwin Awards" - just saying.
I may get upset when I hit a deer and scream bloody murder at the animal, but its not their fault. We're the ones who insist on propelling ourselves through this life in contraptions weighing several thousands of pounds at speeds we can't physically achieve on our own. They didn't build the roadways through our roaming grounds. That is us, not the deer who made these decisions. They are just trying to find food and maybe some shelter to bed down.
That said, do they really have to eat my hostas?
Be careful out there as we approach hunting season and they try to get away from being hunted. (Maybe not something to envy?)
Read my tongue-in-cheek humor column here. In it explains how many of these creatures we really have to contend with.
RSS Feed