Killaloe OPP investigating collisions involving deer

The Killaloe Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is urging all motorists to be cautious after responding to 14 property damage collisions involving deer over the past week in the area.

If you spot an animal on the road ahead, stay in control, reduce your speed as much as possible and steer in a straight direction. Avoid changing your direction quickly as this increases the risk of losing control, running off the roadway, and rolling your vehicle. This also increases the likelihood of sustaining greater damage to your vehicle and serious injury.

Some other helpful hints to ensure a safe journey are as follows:

• Scan the ditches and not just the road ahead of you. You may spot deer or other wildlife approaching the road, and be able to take precautions;
• Where you see one deer, expect more;
• Slow down. The slower you go, the more time you have to react should you encounter any wildlife on the roadway;
• Wildlife can move across roads at any time of the day or night;
• Watch for glowing eyes at night;
• Don't veer for animals. Reduce your speed quickly, steer straight, and stay in control;
• Don't be distracted behind the wheel; and, 
• Ensure you are wearing your seatbelt. If you need to stop in a hurry, you want your body restrained to prevent unnecessary injury or possibly death.