Thruway, State Police remind motorists of deer season dangers

Posted at: 10/22/2012 1:13 PM

The Thruway Authority and New York State Police want to remind motorists of the dangers of dear season with their annual “Antler Alert.”

Officials say most deer-vehicle collisions happen between October and December. In 2011, more than 2,200 accidents occurred along the Thruway.
 
If an accident occurs, make every attempt to pull your vehicle off the highway as much as possible, park on the right shoulder, activate your four-way hazard flashers and stay in the car until help arrives.
 
You can report an accident on the Thruway by calling 911 or the Thruway Authority’s emergency number at 1-800-842-2233.

Tips from the Thruway Authority:
- Deer are more active during evening, dusk and dawn.
- Scan shoulders of the roadside for deer eyes reflecting light.
- Using high beams and sounding horn may help to repel deer, but won’t necessarily prevent a collision.
- Slow down when approaching deer standing at the roadside, as they may run into oncoming traffic.
-  Always wear your seatbelt.  
-  Deer often move in groups. Where there’s one, there may be more.
- If you see a deer, brake firmly. The most serious vehicle-deer accidents occur when drivers veer at high speeds, and strike another vehicle or go off the road.
- Never swerve to avoid hitting a deer. This can confuse deer and possibly cause them to go into the roadway.
- If you are involved in a vehicle-deer collision, do not attempt to approach or touch the deer.

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