Tis the Season for Deer/Auto Collisions

It’s that time of year again when Towns County Sheriff’s Office begins receiving calls to report a vehicle accident involving deer.

Towns County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind everyone to be vigilant this time of year as we are receiving many reports of vehicle accidents involving deer.

Below are some tips to help avoid a collision:

• Be especially attentive during peak deer hours, generally sunset to midnight and shortly before and after sunrise. • Watch from side to side as you drive, especially in areas of low visibility or where grasses and shrubs are near the road. • Deer often travel in groups. If you see one deer, others may be nearby. • In the Spring and Summer, fawns are following their mother. During the Fall months, bucks are on the move due to rutting and hunting season. • When there is no oncoming traffic, use your high beams to see farther ahead. • Slow down and watch for the eye-shine of deer near the road edges, blow your horn with one long blast to frighten the deer away. • Stay in your lane. Many serious crashes occur when a driver swerves to avoid a deer and hits another vehicle. • Always wear your seatbelt. • If you strike a deer, do not touch the animal. A frightened or wounded deer can hurt you. Move your vehicle off the roadway, if possible, and call 911.