The statistics are daunting.
Upward of 1.5 million deer-vehicle accidents occur each year in the United States, including about 15,000 in Kansas.
On Nov. 12, three young women died in a horrific accident on U.S. 169 south of Iola when a huge buck slammed into their van. In a detached view such a tragedy is thought as a fluke of nature, but that observation quickly evaporates when it happens to friend, family or even someone local.
We need to take the deaths and thousands of injuries that occur each year because of deer as a challenge to make drivers and passengers safer.
On average 125 deer-vehicle accidents occur annually in Allen County. On a recent day there were five in the county, putting 2017’s total over 100. With the rut (breeding season) taking hold of deer, the number of accidents will increase as it continues, as well as when the firearms hunting season opens in eight days and agitates the animals even more.
Many local accidents occur along predictable stretches of highways or county roads. Topographical features and feeding habits establish patterns from which deer seldom deviate, one year to the next.
Highways are where the focus of reducing such accidents should have priority. Higher speeds and greater traffic flow are huge contributors, and portend more serious outcomes. Also, deer are handicapped on hard-surfaced roads, their hooves designed to propel them quickly and gracefully over ground that gives ample traction.
A WAY to reduce the accidents does exist.
Many companies manufacture fencing designed specifically to control deer. The material is made of steel or polyurethane with a tight weave to keep a deer from becoming entangled. The fencing ranges from 7 to 10 feet in height, and it may be purchased for $2 or less a running foot.
To stretch such a barrier along several miles of highway would be expensive. Compared to the agony of injuries and deaths it would be money well spent.
Also favoring a proactive approach is the cost of vehicle repairs from deer-related accidents, which average $4,000.
Deer are wards of the state, protected outside of specific hunting seasons. Consequently, state agencies — Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism and Department of Transportation come to mind — should take an active role in reducing such accidents.
If tall fences reduced the numbers of deer crossing in high-profile areas, someone’s life might be spared.
That certainly makes it worth more than cursory consideration.
— Bob Johnson
