AAA warns drivers to be cautious of deer this time of year

Deer
In 2023, there were more than 14,000 car accidents involving a deer in Illinois, with seven being fatal. (Photo by brokinhrt2/flickr)

By WMBD-TV

BLOOMINGTON – Deer mating season is in full swing and the AAA Auto Group is urging people to drive carefully.

Deer mating season lasts from October through January, with its peak being in November. This, coupled with it getting darker earlier, puts drivers at a higher risk of hitting deer.

In 2023, there were more than 14,000 car accidents involving a deer in Illinois, with seven being fatal.

Molly Hart with AAA said deer are most active in the mornings and evenings.

“If you do see a deer, you want to slow down. And this is one time that we do encourage you to blast your horn. You want to startle them and get them back into the wooded area so you don’t get yourself involved in a deer collision,” said Hart.

She said deer usually travel in packs, so if you see one driving, there’s likely more around.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…