COLUMBUS, Ohio (AVC News) – The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) is promoting safe driving ahead of peak deer season in the state.
“We know that deer activity typically increases at dawn and dusk, when visibility is low and many drivers are traveling to and from work,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “To keep yourself and other drivers safe, I encourage everyone to drive defensively, follow the posted speed limit, and never drive distracted.”
The patrol tends to see an increase in deer-related crashes during the month of November due to the combination of peak deer breeding season and the end of daylight-saving time.
The OSHP has issued the following reminders to practice safe driving:
- Be aware of the time, as deer are most active between sunset and sunrise
- Look beyond your immediate headlights and scan the roadside for deer
- Brake, never swerve. If a collision is unavoidable, apply the brakes, but remain in your lane.
- Pull safely off the roadway and call 911 or the nearest Patrol post in the event of a crash. Do not approach an injured deer.
According to Patrol statistics, there have been 111,359 deer-involved crashes since the beginning of 2021. Of those crashes, 49 were fatal, resulting in 50 total deaths. Although motorcyclists are only involved in 1% of deer-related crashes, they account for 82% of the fatal crashes.
