Watching for the White Tails: Tips to avoid deer collisions Published Oct. 30, 2012 By Rod Krause 5th Bomb Wing Ground Safety MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- There is no doubt the fall and winter seasons are the most common time for a person to hit a deer while driving, mainly because this is the time of year that deer are out looking for food. As with any other type of automobile accident, the good news is that there are many ways for you to prevent hitting a deer or other wild animals. The steady increase in North Dakota's deer population has been felt on vehicles as well as drivers' pocket-books across the state. Vehicle mishaps involving deer strikes have steadily increased 34 percent since the year 2000. In 2007, there were 4,118 mishaps in North Dakota which involved deer, with 43 people injured and two people killed. Typically, the month of November has the highest number of deer strike accidents. In 2007, there were approximately 31 per day in November. Deer strikes occur most often between 7 - 8 a.m., and in the evening from 6 - 10 p.m. According to Linda Butts, North Dakota Department of Transportation Deputy Director of Driver and Vehicle Services, "Drivers should always wear a seat belt while driving on a highway or on a rural road, and need to be especially vigilant during the early morning and evening hours." Avoid hitting deer by driving slow If you want to avoid hitting a deer, the first thing that you should start doing is driving slow - or at least slower than usual. The main reason is because you will be more likely to slam on the breaks and bring the car to a stop before your car comes close to hitting the deer. You will allow yourself more time to react to a deer crossing the road when you drive slower rather than faster. Following speed limits, or driving slower than the speed limit in areas where you know that deer may be spotted frequently, is one of the best ways to prevent hitting a deer this winter. Avoid hitting deer by using high beam lights It is important to keep in mind that using your high beams is not allowable in certain areas, such as highways or main roads; however, there are many areas where you still can use your high beams, like secluded back roads or wooded areas - which are both places where deer enjoy hiding out. The reason using your high beams is likely to help you prevent hitting a deer is because you will be able to see a deer farther away than if you used your headlights alone. This will give you much more time to react and to be aware of surroundings. One of the better ways to prevent hitting a deer is to avoid distractions. This includes talking on a cell phone or fumbling with a CD or MP3 player while you are driving. As with any other types of car accident, you will be giving yourself less time, if any time, to react to situations when you have too many distractions going on at once. If you really want to prevent a collision with a deer this winter, you will want to allow yourself that extra reaction time by being aware of what you are doing, without distractions. Unfortunately, there are situations in which hitting a deer is entirely inevitable. If you do feel like you are about to hit a deer, the best thing that you can do for yourself and your automobile is just hit it. The main reason is because more injuries and deaths occur from those who choose to swerve, ultimately landing them wrapped around a tree, telephone pole or even collide with an oncoming vehicle. Although your car may have some damage, it is likely that the injuries you may face from hitting a deer will not be half as bad as if you had swerved. If you hit a deer, you are to contact law enforcement to report the crash if the damage is over $1,000. Remove the deer to the side of the roadway if it is safe to do so. If you are unable to do so, law enforcement can assist. If the deer is a traffic hazard and you can't move it to the side of the road, and law enforcement isn't involved, you may contact the NDDOT district office in Minot at 837-7625, or North Dakota State Radio at 1-800-472-2121 so they can make arrangements to remove the deer.