South Bruce OPP are providing tips after responding to multiple collisions involving deer.
Police say between 4:33 p.m. on April 1, and 5 a.m. on April 7, officers responded to nine crashes involving the animal, but no injuries were reported.
In response, police are suggesting the following tips:
-Be especially attentive from sunset to midnight and during hours shortly before and after sunrise. These are the highest risk times for deer-vehicle collisions.
-Drive with caution when moving through areas known to have a larger deer population. Remember – deer rarely run alone, and if you see one deer, there may be others nearby.
-When driving at night, use high beam headlights when there is no oncoming traffic. The high beams will better illuminate the eye of the deer on or near the roadway.
-Slow down and blow your horn with one long blast to frighten the deer away.
-Brake firmly when you notice a deer in or near your path, but stay in your lane. Many serious crashes occur when drivers swerve to avoid a deer and hit another vehicle or lose control of their cars.
-Always wear your set belt. Most people injured in deer-vehicle crashes were not wearing their seat belt.
-Do not rely on devices like deer whistles, deer fences and reflectors to deter deer. Slow down, stay in control and stay alert.