Deer in the headlights: Eastman top region for vehicle-deer crashes, says MPI

Drivers in Manitoba's Eastman region are most likely to have run-ins with deer, according to new numbers from the province's auto insurer.

Manitoba Public Insurance says about 1,540 collisions between vehicles and deer are reported annually in the Eastman region, which includes Steinbach, Lac du Bonnet, Anola, the Birds Hill Park area and Falcon Lake.

Using claims statistics collected between 2011 and 2015, MPI ranked regions in the province in terms of the number of yearly collisions between vehicles and deer:

• Eastman: 1,540 collisions a year.
• Westman: 1,400.
• Interlake: 1,060.
• Winnipeg: 610.
• Pembina Valley: 600.

MPI issued the collision numbers on Wednesday to warn motorists to be especially careful on the roads in October and November, which it says are the two worst months for vehicle-deer collisions.

"October and November are the rutting seasons for the animals, the mating season," said MPI spokesperson Brian Smiley.

"The animals are very transient, they are moving from territory to territory and unfortunately while they are moving they're crossing roadways."

In all, Manitoba motorists are involved in about 11,000 collisions with wildlife every year, usually resulting in vehicle damage, he said.

In Manitoba 300 people were injured last year in collisions with wildlife, while eight people have been killed in such crashes over the last 10 years, according to MPI data.

Smiley said while deer account for about 80 per cent of all wildlife crash claims, staff have also received claims about collisions with:

• Moose.
• Bears.
• Wolves.
• Coyotes.
• Skunks.
• Raccoons.
• Geese.

Striking smaller animals such as skunks, raccoons and geese can break headlights, damage grills and dent fenders, Smiley said.

Road safety tips

So what should you do if a deer or other animal jumps out on the road, in front of your vehicle?

Smiley said drivers definitely should not swerve, because that put your vehicle in another lane, potentially hitting another vehicle.

Instead, drivers should brake firmly to reduce the impact, he said.

If you do hit a deer and it's alive, Smiley suggests not trying move it, as the animal could injure you. Call police instead.

"You have to be very, very careful if you think about moving it off the roadway," he said. "They are in shock and certainly [not] easily handled."

If the animal is dead and you want to move it out of the way, make sure your hazard lights are on so your vehicle is visible to oncoming traffic, he said.

"You have to be looking after your own personal safety."

Manitoba Public Insurance has these other tips for drivers to avoid crashes with wildlife:

• Slow down at areas marked by wildlife crossing signs.
• Keep in mind that animals are normally more active at dawn, dusk and at night.
• Scan the road and roadside for animals, especially where there's brush and tall grass on the side of the road. Get your passengers to be on the lookout for wildlife, too.
• Watch for a dark silhouette of an animal in your headlights, or the reflection of headlights in an animal's eyes.
• Don't put food or other wildlife attractants along provincial roads and highways, as that's illegal in Manitoba.