(WWJ) – As deer hunting season in Michigan opens on Tuesday for bow hunters, the Office of Highway Safety Planning is reminding drivers to drive cautiously.
Officials say October and November are the months with the most vehicle-deer crashes every year. While vehicle-deer crashes are down about 13% since 2009, 40% of all crashes involving deer happen in the fourth quarter of the year, October through December.
"Make sure you're buckled up – that helps in the event of any crash," agency spokesman John Ross told WWJ. "Stay aware, stay awake. If you see deer, don't veer for them. That can make things worse."
Ross says if a crash is unavoidable, drivers should brake firmly, hold onto the steering wheel and try to bring the vehicle to a controlled stop. The worst thing to do is swerve in an attempt to avoid hitting a deer.
Officials say it's important for drivers to take caution during deer hunting season, especially when you see deer on the side of the road. They usually travel in groups and where there's one deer, there are likely to be more nearby.
Ross says there were more than 20,000 total crashes involving deer in the fourth quarter in Michigan from 2013-2017.
"Any other three-month period, it's right about 10,000 or so," Ross said.
Archery season for deer runs from Oct. 1 to Nov. 14 and regular firearm season is Nov. 15-Nov. 30. A late archery season runs for all of December.
