The Department of Environmental Management and the Rhode Island State Police are advising motorists to be alert for deer, particularly at dawn and dusk. The deer mating season is currently underway, and will continue through November and much of December. Deer tend to move around more frequently during this time, and November is typically the peak period for road kills.
With shorter daylight hours, many commuters are on area roads during the dawn and dusk hours, when deer tend to be most active. Many of those deer live and roam in suburban and urban areas. Deer dart out suddenly and often travel together, according to DEM, so motorists should watch for any other deer that may try to cross the road, following the first one. DEM cautions that motorists should slow down while driving at dawn and dusk, use high beams when possible, and always use seat belts, since most injuries occur to drivers who are not belted.
The best way to prevent a collision is to remain alert while driving.
Anyone who strikes a deer should exercise caution when approaching a deer that has been hit, as it may only be stunned, and a person could become seriously injured by a wounded animal’s attempt to escape. In accordance with state law, any deer-vehicle collision must be reported to DEM's 24-hour dispatch office at 222-3070, as well as to local police and the driver's insurance company. Though small consolation, the owner of the vehicle involved in the accident may choose to keep the deer with a permit from DEM. The owner may request a permit when calling the 24-hour dispatch office to report the accident.
Seven hundred seventy-two auto strikes had been reported through September in Rhode Island this year, with high numbers reported in North Kingstown (47), Cumberland/Lincoln (47), Coventry (34), Tiverton/Little Compton (27), Glocester (26), and Charlestown (18). Deer/vehicle collisions occur throughout the state and have been reported in all municipalities except for Central Falls and Warren so far this year. According to statistics from DEM’s Division of Fish & Wildlife, a total of 1,224 deer were killed statewide by vehicles last year.
The Division of Fish & Wildlife has established two deer management zones for harvesting deer in an effort to meet specific deer management goals, such as reducing auto strikes, addressing nuisance deer and health-related Lyme disease issues, managing urban deer herds in the state’s most densely populated communities, and maintaining quality hunting. This is expected to help reduce the number of auto strikes and property damage over the next two to five years in Rhode Island. DEM’s deer management strategy is aimed at maintaining quality hunting programs that recognize the strong hunter tradition of deer hunting in Rhode Island and the important role that hunters play in population regulation.
Factors such as food supply can reduce or increase the number of strikes that take place because these factors may limit deer movement. This year’s abundant crop of acorns, which started to fall in August, has reduced the movement of deer in search of food – and resulting collisions with vehicles – by providing a readily available food source. About 22 percent fewer collisions have been reported through September this year as compared to the same period last year. Acorns are still abundant in many locations, so this could possibly reduce the number of collisions with vehicles in certain areas.
Source: RI DEM News Release, November 15, 2010. Contact: Gail Mastrati, 222-4700 ext. 2402
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