San Marcos Record, San Marcos, TX

Local News

October 2, 2009

TxDOT: Watch for deer on road

Austin — To help decrease the number of wildlife related automobile crashes, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) reminds motorists to be aware of the increased presence of deer on Central Texas roadways during the fall months. Hundreds of animal-related crashes are reported each year, most of them involving deer.

“Drivers need to stay focused and alert at all times, but especially at this time of year when it is getting darker sooner and deer activity increases,” says TxDOT spokesman John Hurt.

While a crash involving a deer can happen at any time, the majority of deer-vehicle collisions occur between the months of October and December, when deer activity increases due to the mating and hunting seasons.

“Crashes are most common during the hours of 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. when deer movement increases and limited lighting makes it more difficult for motorists to see them on or near roadways,” says Hurt.

TxDOT offers the following suggestions for motorists to avoid being in a deer-vehicle collision:

• Slow down in posted deer crossing areas and heavily wooded areas, especially during the late afternoon and evening.

• Drive with high beams on, when possible, and watch out for eyes reflecting in the headlights.

• Remember that deer often travel in groups, so do not assume that the road is clear if one deer has already passed.

• Do not swerve to avoid contact with deer. This could cause the vehicle to flip or veer into oncoming traffic, causing a more serious crash.







Text Only
Local News
House Ads
Video
Business Marquee
AP Video
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium 50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
Twitter Updates
Follow me on Twitter
Facebook
Seasonal Content