• 03
  • June
    2010

Wisconsin transportation officials are encouraging motorists to keep their eyes open for deer this month while driving. According to the Department to Transportation, the month of June is the 2nd worst month for car accidents involving deer in the state of Wisconsin. In four of the last five years, the month of June produced the greatest number of motorist injuries from car accidents with deer. The greatest number of deer crashes typically peaks in the fall.

According to a recent article, Wisconsin law enforcement agencies reported a total of 16,338 car accidents involving deer last year in Wisconsin. 873 instances occurred in Dane County in 2009, followed by Waukesha County with 680 and Shawano County with 648.

Officials say that during this time in the season many doe are looking for places to give birth and their young tend to wander independently from their mothers shortly after. This increased activity many times causes them to dart onto the highway.

Interestingly, deer are the third most common object hit by vehicles in Wisconsin car accidents (behind other vehicles and fixed objects).

Because the risk of injury or death is greater than four-wheel vehicles, Authorities also encourage motorcyclists to be extremely cautious this June. Last year, motorcycles were involved in five out of six fatal accidents involving deer.

Wisconsin Department of Transportation Chief of Safety Programs Dennis Hughes encourages motorists to drive cautiously this season and states that the best way to avoid a deer crash is to be vigilant and drive slow.

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