LANSING, Mich. — Deer crashes are common in Mid-Michigan, especially in the fall season.
“Right now they're in the rut which is like their mating season so they're definitely more active chasing each other so that's why you're going to see them moving around a lot more than other times of the year,” said Michigan State Trooper Bryan Bell.
According to the Office of Highway Safety Planning about 1,000 deer-vehicle crashes occur every year in Ingham County alone.
The damages result in roughly $4,300 per crash.
Highway safety officials say there is a proper way to respond if you come in contact with deer on the road.
Experts say it's important to remain calm and hold on to the wheel because swerving can cause a greater problem.
“If you do see a deer out in front of you, I would try to calmly break as much as possible,” Bell said.
“Do not swerve and do not change lanes. Stay in your lane. If you're going to hit it, just hit it. It's the most safe option. After you do hit the deer then try to get off the roadway completely and call 911 and they'll send someone out there to try to take a report for you.”
State regulators say about 12 car-deer accidents turn fatal every year, largely due to veering off the road.
“If you do see a deer in the roadway don't panic just stay in your lane because if you panic or something like that you could hit someone else and cause an even worse crash,” Bell said.
“The deer is not going to hurt you as much as another car would.”
If you hit a deer stay away from it.
If its still alive it could attack you.
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