By Maureen Keilty
Living with Wildlife Advisory Board
For most of us, La Plata County ranks No. 1 in the state as a great place to live. For wildlife, it’s the worst.
Throughout Colorado, the chances of a vehicle and wildlife collision are highest in La Plata County with more than 252 incidents reported to the Colorado Department of Transportation in 2013. Deer represent more the half the road kill reported. Collisions with wildlife (think deer again) are the third leading cause of crashes in the state, behind speeding and inattentive driving.
And the scariest season for both deer and drivers is mid-September through November. Deer migration occurs during this time, when the number of deer and vehicle collisions double.
To take the Russian-roulette element out of driving in deer country, consider the act like a game of chess. Plan, prepare and proceed with intelligence. These “Driving Deer Wise” tips from the La Plata County Living with Wildlife Advisory Board should take the fear out of driving here.
When possible, plan driving times for mid-day. At dawn and dusk, driver’s visibility is lowest and wildlife traffic is highest. Deer are most likely seen along roadsides at this time, especially on the outskirts of town or along wooded areas. Watch for deer where drainages intersect the road. Long, straight stretches of dry road are notorious for sudden deer appearances. Deer rarely travel alone. See one, watch for more.
When possible, avoid traveling at night during deer migration periods. However, because few of us resist Durango’s nightlife, remember to use your high beams (when headlights are not approaching) to illuminate more of the road. Enlist another pair of eyes to watch for deer.
Buckling your seat belt is a wise habit, especially knowing that the most severe injuries in deer-vehicle collisions occur when drivers or passengers do not use a seat belt.
Avoiding cellphone use is equally sound advice, as is keeping your senses clean of alcohol, drugs, prescription or otherwise, and extremely loud music. Driving in deer country requires utmost awareness.
Allow enough time to get to your destination without hurrying. Speed reduces your ability to steer away from a deer. Increased speed requires greater distance to stop and intensifies the impact, resulting in more damage to you, the vehicle and the deer. Reducing your speed from 60 mph to 50 mph gives you an extra 100 feet or about three car lengths. Slow is the way to go in deer country.
However, there’s one time to accelerate before hitting something: When a large animal is in your path and there’s nowhere to go. According to AARP’s Survival Guide: 7 Ways to Save Your Own Life, “slamming on the brakes causes the front end of your car to dip. That makes it more likely the deer will fly up over your hood, come through your windshield and hit you right back. Speeding up before impact will make the front rise and possibly confine Bambi to the bumper.” Another survival tip: “If you can, aim for its rear end. If an animal bolts, it never bolts backward. You might just miss it.”
Keep windshields clean, both inside and out. Autumn’s low-angled light, especially early morning and evening, often blinds drivers. Keep sunglasses handy, dashboards clear of clutter and windshield visors easily lowered.
Remind yourself, “Don’t veer for deer.” Instead, use your brakes (foot) and not your wheel (arms). If you see a deer in the road ahead, brake firmly, trying not to lock your brakes. Swerving can confuse the deer about where to run. It also can result in head-on collisions with other vehicles, send you into a ditch, over a cliff or into stationary objects such as trees or buildings.
Don’t rely on “deer whistles.” The car-mounted, air-activated, ultrasonic whistles that supposedly ward off deer have not been scientifically proven effective.
When approaching a small herd of deer in the road, don’t attempt to drive through or shoo them away. Try honking your horn or flashing your lights. The same actions sometimes work at night for that “deer in headlights” statue standing in the middle of the road. Deer are unpredictable. The one standing calmly by the side of the road may without warning suddenly leap into your path. Maintain control of your car, and keep your eyes on a safe place, not the deer. Your eyes act as a guide, taking you to danger or safety, depending on where you focus.
If you hit a deer, pull off to the side of the road and turn on your flashers. Do not approach the wounded deer; it may rise up to kick, bite or even gore you. Call Colorado State Highway Patrol at *277.
For more tips on driving in deer country, go to www.wildsmart.org
Maureen Keilty, chairwoman of La Plata County’s Living with Wildlife Advisory Board, has been a board member since 2003. The board’s mission is to educate residents about methods of reducing and preventing conflicts with wildlife.
