Deer-related car accidents could rise significantly
From Missouri Digital News: https://mdn.org
MDN Menu

MDN Home

Journalist's Creed

Print

MDN Help

MDN.ORG: Missouri Digital News
MDN Menu

MDN Home

Journalist's Creed

Print

MDN Help

MDN.ORG Mo. Digital News Missouri Digital News MDN.ORG: Mo. Digital News MDN.ORG: Missouri Digital News
Help  

Deer-related car accidents could rise significantly

Date: October 16, 2006
By: Robbie Fisher
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: A Missouri insurance representative warns that deer-related car accidents traditionally spike towards the end of the year. Robbie Fisher has more from Jefferson City.

RunTime:
OutCue: SOC

The last three months of the year account for the majority of deer-related car accidents.

According to Calvin Call, the executive director of the Missouri Insurance Information Service, deer hunting and mating seasons cause more deer to be on the roads at any given time.

Of the over seventy-five hundred deer vehicle accidents, Call said almost half are caused during this peak season.

Actuality:  CALL1.WAV
Run Time: 00:20
Description: Calvin Call says driver awareness is one of the most important ways to decrease the number of accidents per year.

The Missouri Conservation Department said drivers should stay alert, especially in high risk areas marked with deer crossing signs.

If a deer is encountered, the Department recommended staying on the road and slowing down, not trying to avoid the deer, which can lead to more serious accidents.

In Jefferson City, I'm Robbie Fisher.


Intro: The majority of deer-related car accidents occur between October and December. Robbie Fisher has more from the Capitol.

RunTime:
OutCue: SOC

You have the highest chance of hitting a deer with your car in the next three months than any other time of the year.

A Conservation Department representative blames the upcoming deer hunting and mating seasons for more deer being on Missouri roads.

Missouri drivers reported more than seventy-five hundred deer-related car accidents last year.

Larry Yamnitz says extending Missouri's hunting season or allowing hunters to kill more deer would not do much to decrease the number of accidents.

Actuality:  YAMNITZ1.WAV
Run Time: 00:08
Description: "The numbers are in good shape, so I don't know what we could do more of except encourage more people to hunt."

Yamnitz says the best way to prevent accidents is for drivers to stay alert while driving and slow down in areas marked with deer crossing signs.

Hunting season for firearms begins November 11th and lasts for ten days.

From the State Capitol, I'm Robbie Fisher.