Be alert, or it could cost you deerly

CAA North and East Ontario
News Release

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OTTAWA - Three seconds. That's about how long it takes a car at highway speed to cover the length of a football field. It's also about the same time it takes to find a specific track on the CD player, to dial a number on a cell phone, to grab a bite of a burger, or catch the drips from a coffee cup. What's the worst thing that can happen in this short period of time? For too many people in the Ontario area this year, that decision will cost them*deerly.

"According to the MTO (Ontario Ministry of Transportation), every year in Ontario there are over 13,500 motor vehicle/wild animal collisions reported and even more go unreported," said CAANEO (CAA North & East) Government & Public Relations Manager, Korey Kennedy. "CAANEO would like to remind motorists that they have to pay special attention during the months of October and November, during mating and migration periods, when the highest number of collisions occur. Drivers should also take note that 84 per cent of all wildlife collisions occur in good weather conditions."

With 886 incidents, Ottawa is ranked by the MTO as the number one region for vehicle/deer collisions, followed by Simcoe County (656), Kenora (521), Lanark County (481), and Thunder Bay (463). MTO estimates that a vehicle collision with wildlife happens every 39 minutes in the province, and one out of every 17 motor vehicle collisions involves wildlife. The average adult deer can weigh between 55 and 114 kg, more then four times the weight of a medium-sized boulder.

For many areas in the Province of Ontario, the first weeks of November represent the start of hunting season. This means wildlife can suddenly jump out onto roadways as a result of being chased. CAANEO reminds drivers that your best defense against wildlife collision is to reduce your speed. Doing this will increase your time to safely react, and avoid a collision. Some other tips are:

- Constantly scan the roadway and its shoulders
- Use your high beams whenever possible
- Take notice of wildlife warning signs
- Should you see a deer on the shoulder or side of the road, slow down and take caution; deer reactions are unpredictable
- Often time wildlife travel in groups, if you see one there may others you don't see

For over 100 years, the Canadian Automobile Association has provided travel, Emergency Road Services, Insurance, and advocacy for its members. CAA North & East Ontario continues to be the leading membership organization by recognizing and promoting its heritage and integrity in the community, while maximizing members' value.

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