Meister Warns Public About Car Deer Crashes

October is the start of the increase in car deer crashes in Sauk County as well as in the state. Last year in Wisconsin there were seven fatal crashes involving deer and four hundred and seventy-four injuries as the result of car deer crashes according to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. In total there were 16,338 reported car deer crashes in the state for 2009.

The statistics for Sauk County show an increase in car deer crashes every year during the months of October through December. The number of car deer crashes in Sauk County over the last several years has fluctuated. In 2007 there were 302 crashes with 11 injuries, 2008 there were 204 crashes with 8 injuries and 2009 there were 214 crashes with 7 injuries. To date for 2010 there have been 103 crashes reported with 8 injuries. The time of a crash always varies but you are more likely to encounter deer moving during the evening hours or early morning hours.

Chief Deputy Meister says, "Every driver needs to be extremely observant to avoid a collision with a deer and when you observe a deer slow down." Deer are frequently feeding along the edge of the road and are unpredictable in their behavior. If you strike a deer pull over to the side of the road, turn on your flashers and notify the police of the crash.